Kuwait raised its crude oil production to 2.1 million barrels per day in October, its highest level since the outbreak of the Iran war, according to a source familiar with the matter cited by Reuters.

The figure represents an increase of more than 300,000 barrels per day over September's average. Reuters had reported on October 2, citing a source with knowledge of the matter, that Kuwait pumped roughly 1.77 million barrels per day in September.

The rise came despite an unprecedented escalation in attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, adding to signs that Gulf oil producers are sustaining or even boosting output as they increasingly adapt to the risk of disruption.

Even so, Kuwait's production remains below its pre-war level. In February, before the conflict erupted, the country was producing around 2.6 million barrels per day.

The outbreak of the war in late February disrupted oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, forcing Kuwait and other Middle Eastern producers to cut output.

The October increase suggests Kuwait is gradually recovering lost volumes, although production has yet to return to the levels recorded before hostilities began.