How US-Israeli strikes on Iran are sending shock waves through global energy markets
As the Strait of Hormuz faces a de facto closure, Asia braces for inflation and a mounting energy supply crunch.
“Operation Epic Fury” saw the launch of a series of joint US-Israeli air strikes against Iran beginning on February 28, 2026, and it sent shock waves through global energy markets.
While the conflict is only days old, the primary concern is the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Though it is not officially blocked yet, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has issued radio warnings that have turned this vital maritime throughway into a no-go zone. As a result, energy giants like Shell and BP have been forced to suspend transit.
With nearly a third of the world’s oil and gas passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the stakes are highest for Asia’s major economies, including China and India. SCMP reporter Mia Nurmamat breaks down the escalating oil and gas supply crisis.