The Paris-based agency is expected to publish the recommendation at 1300 GMT on Wednesday, shortly before leaders of the Group of Seven hold a virtual meeting chaired by Emmanuel Macron to discuss coordinated measures to stabilize energy markets.

A source said the proposed release would be spread over at least two months. Sara Aagesen, Spain’s energy minister, said participating countries could have up to 90 days to release the volume if the plan is adopted.

Aagesen described the proposal as unprecedented in scale compared with previous coordinated actions. During the energy shock following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, around 182 million barrels were released from strategic reserves, she said.

The current proposal would more than double that amount, reflecting concerns among major economies about the impact of the Iran conflict on global oil markets and energy security.

The International Energy Agency coordinates emergency oil stockpiles among major consumer nations, a system established after the oil shocks of the 1970s to provide a buffer against severe supply disruptions.

Leaders of the Group of Seven are scheduled to discuss the proposal in a meeting led by France on Wednesday after the bloc’s energy ministers voiced support for using strategic reserves to counter market volatility.

“In principle, we support the implementation of proactive measures to address the situation, including the use of strategic reserves,” G7 energy ministers said in a joint position.

A G7 source told Reuters that while there is currently no physical shortage of crude oil among member states, sharply rising prices and market volatility have prompted governments to consider coordinated intervention.

Oil prices initially surged following the escalation of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, though markets later rebounded as traders questioned how effective a large reserve release would be in easing supply concerns.

The military said naval ships were deployed to accompany commercial vessels to ensure the uninterrupted flow of national energy supplies and maintain the security of sea lines of communication, which are critical for the country’s economy.

The escort operation was launched to counter what the military described as “multidimensional threats” to national shipping and maritime commerce. Pakistan relies heavily on sea routes for trade, with the armed forces noting that roughly 90 percent of the country’s commerce moves by sea.

Officials said maintaining secure maritime corridors was essential to ensuring the continuity of energy imports and broader economic stability.

Pakistan, which shares a border with Iran in its southwest, depends significantly on oil and gas supplies from Gulf producers.

Amid concerns about supply disruptions linked to the regional conflict, the government raised domestic fuel prices by about 20 percent last week, triggering long lines at petrol stations across the country.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced a series of austerity measures aimed at conserving fuel, including closing government offices one day a week and directing half of public-sector staff to work from home.

Authorities also ordered schools to shut for two weeks as part of the effort to reduce fuel consumption and limit transport demand.

The military said naval forces remained fully prepared to respond to emerging maritime security challenges but did not provide further details about the scope or duration of the escort operations.

The move comes as heightened tensions across the Gulf region raise concerns among energy importers about potential disruptions to shipping routes and oil supplies.

The shipments are part of a broader shift in oil trade flows as exporters and buyers respond to uncertainty surrounding the movement of energy supplies through traditional Gulf shipping lanes. Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, has been increasing shipments from its Red Sea facilities as an alternative route amid the heightened regional tensions.

The port of Yanbu on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast has become a key outlet for crude exports during the ongoing conflict, allowing shipments to bypass the Persian Gulf and potentially vulnerable maritime chokepoints.A source familiar with the matter said Indian Oil Corp had secured cargoes from Yanbu, although details on volumes and delivery schedules were not disclosed. The move reflects efforts by refiners to diversify loading points and ensure steady supplies at a time when geopolitical risks are affecting the movement of energy commodities across the Middle East.The conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has disrupted oil and natural gas exports from the region, according to industry sources, prompting producers and buyers to explore alternative routes and supply arrangements.

At the same time, Russia is examining the possibility of redirecting liquefied natural gas shipments originally intended for Europe toward Asian markets, including India and China.Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday he had discussed with domestic energy companies the prospect of shifting LNG flows to other countries, according to reports by the Interfax news agency and Izvestia newspaper.A government source in New Delhi said Indian companies had previously purchased both sanctioned and non-sanctioned Russian oil after the United States granted India a waiver. The source added that India would also consider buying Russian LNG if supplies were offered.

Despite the disruption to global energy flows, Indian officials said the country’s domestic fuel market remains stable. A separate government source said there were currently no plans to raise retail prices of petrol and diesel.The official added that national fuel inventories were increasing steadily, indicating that refiners and distributors had sufficient stocks to meet demand.India is the world’s fourth-largest buyer of LNG, and authorities have in recent months rationed supplies to some industries, several of which have reported disruptions linked to tighter availability of natural gas.The adjustments by Indian refiners and policymakers underscore the wider impact of the Middle East conflict on global energy trade, with importers seeking supply flexibility while exporters recalibrate routes and destinations for crude oil and natural gas shipments.