AFP, Houston

A top US official in President Donald Trump’s government sought to reassure fears about the oil market Monday as war raged on in the Middle East, but industry leaders remain wary.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright told the annual CERAWeek conference in Houston that disruption to global energy flows is “temporary,” as costs surged after US-Israeli strikes on Iran prompted Tehran’s retaliation that virtually blocked the Strait of Hormuz.

Wright said Washington has adopted “pragmatic solutions” such as by helping oil flow to Asian refineries. The United States also started releasing oil from its strategic reserves on Friday.

“But these are mitigants of a situation that’s temporary,” he stressed to a packed ballroom.

His comments came as energy industry leaders converge in Texas this week under the cloud of oil and gas supply disruptions from the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran in late February.

More than 10,000 attendees are expected for CERAWeek, the spring gathering that has taken on unexpected importance as fuel prices rocketed after the war began. Wright said the United States would be able to release up to 1.5 million barrels of oil a day, and this could get close to three million barrels.

Attacks on critical energy facilities in Iran, Qatar and other Gulf countries have exacerbated global supply problems.