In the week ending April 17, U.S. exports of crude oil and petroleum products reached nearly 12.9 million barrels per day, hitting new record highs, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Statistics from the agency show an upward trend in the country's recent total crude oil and products exports.
From April 11 to 17, crude oil exports were roughly 4.8 million barrels per day, while crude oil product exports amounted to nearly 8.1 million barrels a day, both creating new records.
Matt Smith, an analyst from Kepler, reckoned that as the war in the Middle East continues, the global market is forced to find alternative suppliers for crude oil and petroleum products, which has driven up U.S. fuel exports.
However, some analysts also warned that although the increase of U.S. fuel exports has brought substantial profits for energy enterprises, the rising fuel prices are likely to further intensify domestic inflation.
US crude oil, petroleum products exports hit record highs
US crude oil, petroleum products exports hit record highs
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Sunday that decisions on war and negotiations rest with Iran's leadership and the Supreme National Security Council, as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the two countries were still expected to sign a memorandum of understanding later in the day.
At a meeting on Sunday, Pezeshkian said that everyone must obey the decisions made by Iran's Supreme Leader, adding that the Iranian government simultaneously pursues the well-being of its people, national sovereignty, and the development of regional relations.
He stressed that through internal unity, proactive diplomacy, and economic reforms, Iran will overcome challenges.
On the same day, prior to Israel's attack on Lebanon, a source close to the Iranian negotiating team said a Qatari negotiating delegation was in Tehran, Iran's capital, and that the Iranian side was using the Qatari team to convey to the United States the terms it hoped to include in an Iran-U.S. agreement, as well as specific details it considered important.
The source emphasized that no final decision had been reached yet.
Regarding the ups and downs in the negotiations, the source said that, despite setbacks, Iran remains committed to the principle that all of its concerns must ultimately be fully taken into account. The source added that even if Iran's positions are fully reflected in the agreement, Tehran will not sign any deal within the timeframe announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
On Sunday, the Israeli military again launched an airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs in Lebanon.
In response, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on social media that the Israeli strike had once again shown the United States "either lacks the will to fulfill its commitments or the ability to do so," making it impossible to continue the dialogue process.
Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Sunday that the U.S. and Iran still had a good chance of signing a memorandum of understanding later in the day, which would restart cargo traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and lift U.S. blockades on Iranian ports.
In an interview with U.S. media, Hegseth said the two countries are "on track to" sign a deal to end fighting on Sunday.
"It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when," he said.
Hegseth said that after the agreement is signed, the U.S. and Iran will have 60 days to negotiate a longer-term peace arrangement and tackle broader issues, including Iran's nuclear program.
He said that the agreement is performance-based, meaning that no funds will be released to Iran until the Iranian side performs.
Iranian president says Iran's leadership decides on war, talk; US defense secretary expects MoU signed on Sunday
