IMF says very long disruption to energy supplies will impact global economy

It says Iran-US conflict clouds October global growth forecast

A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, DC, US, Nov 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/F/File Photo

Christian Mumssen, director of strategy for the International Monetary Fund, said he believed offsetting forces that had prevented the war in West Asia from hitting global growth harder thus far would remain in effect, but a very long disruption to energy supplies would clearly affect the outlook.

Mumssen, asked if the resumption of hostilities between the United States and Iran would force the IMF to revise its estimate of 3 percent global growth in 2026, said it was very difficult to say where the global lender's October forecast would land.

"Internally, we will have to continue to think in scenarios. And for some countries, the question of energy prices ... is, of course, extremely important," he said.