Storm Suspends Oil Exports

Cyclone Gonu – the strongest storm to hit Oman in 30 years – killed at least 13 people but missed oil rigs and fields in the Middle East.

Oman evacuated tens of thousands of people and closed all major ports as the cylone headed for the Strait of Hormuz, where around one-fifth of the world's oil passes through the narrow waterway at the entrance to the Persian Gulf.

Oil prices rose amid forecasts that the strongest storm to threaten the Arabian Peninsula in 60 years was headed toward Iran, where all seaports and oil export terminals have been shut down causing the country to suspend oil and gas exports.

The storm weakened slightly and dropped below hurricane strength before battering southern Iran where it is expected to spare Iran's offshore oil installations that lie more than 190km to the west, according to official reports.