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JERA Global CEO Carney: If the conflict in the Middle East continues, we may need to work with governments to consider measures such as calling for electricity conservation and restarting idle coal-fired power plants.

JERA Global CEO Carney: Despite the tense situation in the Middle East, there will be no immediate shortage of liquefied natural gas supply.

On March 14th, a spokesperson for Iran's Hatem Anbia Central Command stated that the US military simplistically described the damage to its refueling aircraft as a "technical malfunction," downplayed the deaths of its soldiers as "mild concussions," and ignored the damage and casualties on the USS Ford aircraft carrier and other vessels. He emphasized that wherever the enemy is, they will be buried under gunfire and ruins.

On March 14th, an "internal message" about ByteDance layoffs circulated online yesterday. "WeChat chat records" showed that ByteDance's Wuhan R&D center would undergo large-scale staff reductions, with some "insiders" even confirming that "this adjustment is a done deal." In response to the online rumor that "ByteDance's entire Wuhan branch has been laid off," ByteDance stated today: "Currently, ByteDance has over 2,000 employees in Wuhan, covering multiple businesses including life services, Autohome, Lark, ByteDance Engine, and Volcano Engine, and will continue to increase its investment in Hubei. Recently, due to business adjustments, 50 employees will be relocated. The online claim that 'ByteDance's entire Wuhan branch has been laid off' is untrue."

March 14 - It was learned on the 14th local time that the South Korean military stated that North Korea launched an unidentified projectile. North Korea has not yet responded.

Iraqi security sources say the fire inside the U.S. embassy caused by the attack has been brought under control.

According to the Associated Press: Iraqi security officials said a missile struck a helicopter landing pad inside the compound of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

March 14 - According to US media reports citing US officials, five US Air Force refueling tankers were damaged in Iran's missile attack on the Prince Sultan airbase in Saudi Arabia. The report stated that the tankers were damaged in a recent Iranian missile attack. A source said the aircraft were damaged but not completely destroyed and are currently undergoing repairs. No casualties were reported. The report did not specify the exact model of the tankers.

Saudi Ministry of Defense: A drone was intercepted and destroyed in the eastern region.

Market news: Smoke rose over the area of the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, suspected to be a direct hit by an Iranian unidirectional attack drone.

On March 14, according to Iranian media Fars News, more than 15 explosions were heard across Hargh Island during the US attack on Iran's main oil export hub. The US attack appeared to target multiple locations, including an army air defense system, a naval base, an airport control tower, and a helicopter hangar operated by Iran's offshore oil company. The media outlet cited witnesses who reported seeing smoke rising from parts of the island. The report stated that the island's oil infrastructure was undamaged, confirming President Trump's description of the attack. Iran had previously warned that any attack on its energy facilities could trigger retaliation against oil and gas infrastructure in the region linked to the US and its allies.

March 14 – The Trump administration has initiated a process to massively utilize the U.S. emergency petroleum reserves, issuing a request to exchange 86 million barrels of crude oil. The Department of Energy stated in a statement Friday that oil drawn from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, as part of the 172 million barrel release plan announced Wednesday, is expected to begin flowing into the market by the end of next week. This release of oil reserves is expected to take four months to complete and is part of a coordinated 400 million barrel action plan with other countries. Under the exchange terms, companies will return the loaned oil to the Department of Energy in the future, paying an additional amount as a premium. The Department of Energy stated earlier this week that the Trump administration has planned to replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve with approximately 200 million barrels of oil over the next year, 20% more than the reserves being used this time.

Market news: BP's ultra-deepwater development project, Kasqueda, is scheduled to begin crude oil production in 2029.

Market news: BP has been granted permission to launch its first Gulf of Mexico project since the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform explosion tragedy.

March 14 – According to foreign media reports, U.S. Energy Secretary Frank Wright took action on Friday to retaliate against two of the Trump administration's biggest adversaries: the oil supply disruptions caused by the war with Iran, and California Governor Gavin Newsom. Wright issued an order clearing the way for a company operating near the California coast to restart an oil pipeline that had been shut down by state officials since 2015. The Department of Energy characterized this move as a way to reduce reliance on oil imports via the Strait of Hormuz. "Today, more than 60 percent of the oil used by California refineries comes from overseas, a significant portion of which is transported through the Strait of Hormuz—a serious national security threat," the Department of Energy wrote in a statement. Wright stated that this move will "strengthen the United States' oil supply and restore pipeline systems critical to our national security and defense, ensuring that military facilities on the West Coast have reliable energy sources essential for readiness."

According to the Wall Street Journal, sources familiar with the matter said that given polls showing President Trump’s actions on the vaccine issue are unpopular, his aides have decided to take a more active role in managing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which is led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

According to the Wall Street Journal, sources familiar with the matter revealed that the White House is tightening its control over the Department of Health and Human Services' information dissemination and policy-making, including policies surrounding vaccines, in preparation for the midterm elections.

March 14th - Today, the National Bureau of Statistics released data on price changes of key production materials in the circulation sector for the first ten days of March 2026. According to monitoring of market prices for 50 key production materials across nine categories nationwide, compared to the first ten days of February 2026, prices for 37 products increased, 10 decreased, and 3 remained unchanged.