Asia scrambles to confront energy crisis unleashed by Iran war – with no end in sight

<p>From fuel caps to four-day work weeks, the Middle East conflict has left the world’s top crude oil importing region desperate to shore up supplies</p><p>Donald Trump has scrambled in recent days to reassure the world that the economic impact of his war on Iran can be contained.</p><p>Sure, one of the most important waterways in global trade has, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/10/trump-free-flow-energy-fails-restart-shipping-strait-hormuz">in effect, been shut for almost two weeks</a> – but it might reopen before long. In the meantime, US oil-related sanctions on “some countries” will be lifted. And besides, the entire conflict <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/09/us-israel-strikes-iran-supreme-leader">could be over soon</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/12/asia-energy-crisis-iran-war">Continue reading...</a>