🚨 The next 24 hours could be one of the most critical moments of 2026.
Many people think the U.S.–Iran tensions are only about oil prices. The reality is much bigger.
Around 20 million barrels of oil per day normally pass through the Strait of Hormuz, roughly 20% of the global petroleum supply. But the real impact goes far beyond fuel.
A huge portion of the world’s sulfur supply comes from oil and gas refining. Sulfur is used to produce sulfuric acid, the most widely produced chemical on Earth. This chemical is essential for extracting key industrial metals such as copper, cobalt, and nickel.
Without it, entire supply chains slow down — including power infrastructure, EV batteries, and electronics manufacturing.
Natural gas is another critical factor. Qatar exports a large share of its LNG through Hormuz, supplying energy across Asia. Countries like Taiwan rely heavily on LNG, and disruptions could quickly lead to power shortages.
That matters because TSMC manufactures roughly 90% of the world’s most advanced semiconductors and consumes a significant share of Taiwan’s electricity.
If power supply is disrupted → chip production slows.
And without chips → AI systems, electronics, and advanced defense technology are affected.
The ripple effects could also extend to global food production. A large share of nitrogen fertilizer feedstock also moves through the Strait, which is vital for modern agriculture.
So this situation isn’t just about oil.
It’s about the entire global supply chain: Energy → industrial chemicals → metals → electronics → semiconductors → food production.
The Strait of Hormuz sits at the center of it all.