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A temporary ceasefire in the Middle East has failed to restore normal shipping conditions in the  Strait of Hormuz , as Iran continues to exert control through a de facto  “toll system” , keeping global energy markets under pressure. Strait Control Maintains Supply Risk According to reports, Iran has implemented a  politically driven access system  in the Strait: Iran-linked shipments:  Allowed free passage Friendly nations:  Charged fees exceeding  US$1 million per vessel Unfriendly nations:  Potentially blocked The policy effectively turns the Strait into a  strategic chokepoint , reinforcing uncertainty over global oil and gas flows. The arrangement remains in place despite the ceasefire agreement announced by  Donald Trump . Ceasefire Fails to Normalize Energy Flows While the US-Iran truce was expected to ease tensions,  shipping activity remains limited : Many vessels are  avoiding the Strait entirely Others are  forc...

Europe’s economy is beginning to show clear signs of strain as the Iran conflict drives  higher energy prices, weaker growth, and rising inflation , threatening to derail the region’s fragile recovery. Growth Outlook Deteriorates Across Europe Governments across Europe are  cutting economic growth forecasts , as the war disrupts energy markets and business sentiment weakens. Major economies like  Germany and Italy  are reassessing projections, while policymakers brace for a  prolonged period of slower expansion .  The shock comes just as the region was recovering from previous crises, raising concerns of a  renewed economic slowdown . Inflation Pressures Resurface The surge in oil and gas prices is expected to  reignite inflation , forcing policymakers into difficult trade-offs. Central banks, including the European Central Bank, may need to: Shift toward  tighter monetary policy Delay or reverse  rate-cut expectations Officials warn the...

Japan is temporarily reversing part of its clean energy strategy, allowing  greater use of coal-fired power plants  to safeguard energy supply amid disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict. Policy Shift to Boost Energy Security The government will permit  less-efficient coal plants to participate in capacity market auctions , expanding available electricity supply. Previously, these plants were excluded as part of efforts to  reduce carbon emissions , but rising energy risks have forced policymakers to prioritise  energy security over climate goals . Energy Shock Drives Strategic Reversal The shift comes as the  closure of the Strait of Hormuz  and disruptions at major LNG facilities strain global energy supply. Japan remains highly exposed: Over 90% of oil imports come from the Middle East LNG supply risks are rising due to regional instability Increasing coal usage is expected to  offset around 500,000 tonnes of LNG demand , helping stabil...

Global oil markets are facing renewed disruption as  Saudi Arabia reduces crude shipments to key Asian buyers , highlighting the deepening impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict on energy supply chains. Supply Cuts to China and India State producer  Saudi Aramco  is expected to ship  around 40 million barrels to China in April , down from  48 million barrels in February . Shipments to  India are also set to decline , with volumes estimated at  ~23 million barrels , compared with  25–28 million barrels previously . The reductions reflect  logistical disruptions and supply constraints  caused by escalating tensions in the region. Strait of Hormuz Disruption Drives Market Shock The near closure of the  Strait of Hormuz , a critical global oil transit route, has severely restricted flows from the Persian Gulf. In response, Saudi Arabia has rerouted some exports through its  Yanbu port on the Red Sea , but capacity remains limit...

Market  Snapshot The  United  States  has  issued  a  30- day  sanctions  waiver  allowing  countries  to  purchase  Russian  oil  currently  stranded  at  sea ,  in  a  move  aimed  at  stabilizing  global  energy  markets  disrupted  by  the  Middle  East  conflict. The  waiver  comes  as  the  Iran  war  and  the  closure  of  the  Strait  of  Hormuz   have  severely  disrupted  global  energy  flows,  sending  oil  prices  sharply  higher  earlier  in  the  week. Following  the  announcement,  oil  prices  eased  slightly  in  Asian  trading ,  signaling  that  markets  expect  the  additional  ...

Market  Snapshot Global  financial  markets  came  under  pressure  after  attacks  on  oil  tankers  in  the  Persian  Gulf  and  renewed  warnings  from  Iran   raised  fears  of  a  deeper  energy  supply  crisis. The  escalation  briefly  pushed  Brent  crude  above  US$100  per  barrel ,  marking  one  of  the  sharpest  moves  in  oil  prices  since  the  conflict  began. Equities  reacted  negatively  as  investors  reassessed  the  risks  of  prolonged  disruption  to  Middle  East  energy  exports . In  early  US  trading: Dow  Jones  Industrial  Average:   -1.26% S& P 500:   -0.82% Nasdaq  Composite:   -0...