French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that France will release 10 million barrels of diesel from its strategic reserves to distributors over about three months, a move he said should cut pump prices by roughly 12 to 18 euro cents per litre. Diesel averages around 2.35 euros a litre as the Middle East conflict and disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz (a narrow waterway at the mouth of the Gulf that carries much of the world's oil) keep fuel markets under strain. Lecornu also urged state utility EDF to maximise output to hold down winter electricity prices, while energy costs are set to dominate an upcoming EU summit.