Beyond Oil: The Global Supply Chains Broken by the Iran Conflict

Since the start of the Middle Eastern conflict nearly a month ago, analysts have kept their eyes glued to the latest energy market data. On 2 March, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway which is responsible for shipping roughly one fifth of the world’s oil and gas, was “closed” and oil prices have slipped out of control ever since. Oil prices surged to over $110 (£82.14) per barrel, leading the US to launch an operation to reopen the strait, deploying jets and helicopters to the region. But while the market tracks…