The growing tension in the Middle East and its impact on the Persian Gulf is generating effects beyond the energy market, putting at risk the global supply of critical minerals essential for sectors such as technology, renewable energy, and defense, the United Nations warned.

According to experts from the Economic Commission of According to the UN Environment Programme (UNECE), the disruption of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategic trade routes, threatens to cause shortages of key inputs such as sulfur, helium, and naphtha—essential petroleum byproducts for numerous industrial processes. “If the conflict continues, there will be shortages of certain byproducts needed by the sector, which will reduce production, especially in renewable energy and digital technologies,” said Dario Liguti, director of UNECE's sustainable energy division, speaking from Geneva. Direct impact on technology and energy transition. Before the conflict, approximately 140 ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz daily, transporting oil, gas, and industrial raw materials. Currently, maritime traffic has been significantly reduced, generating uncertainty in global supply chains. Sulfur, of which approximately 30% of the world's supply passes through this route, is key in the processing of critical minerals, while naphtha is used in refining and helium is fundamental in the manufacturing of semiconductors. These components are essential for producing solar panels, batteries, electronic devices, and electric vehicles. The potential shortage has already begun to be reflected in some markets, particularly in Asia, where a large part of the refining of these materials is concentrated. Governments and companies have begun to accumulate strategic reserves to mitigate the impact of a prolonged disruption. Analysts warn that this situation could slow the global energy transition by increasing the cost of producing clean technologies and limiting their availability. Furthermore, the increased costs could be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices for electronics and energy products.

Risks to Food Security and Global Stability

The disruption of this maritime artery not only threatens to make smartphones more expensive in California, but is also sowing hunger on the other side of the Pacific. The UN estimates that an additional 9.1 million people in Asia could fall into acute food insecurity due to rising fertilizer and transportation prices.

The impact of the crisis is not limited to the industrial sector. The disruption of maritime trade is also affecting the supply of raw materials for fertilizers, which could have direct consequences for agricultural production and food security.

In countries in South and Southeast Asia, the increased cost of transportation, fuel, and agricultural inputs is already putting pressure on economies highly dependent on imports.

Specific cases reflect the magnitude of the problem. In Bangladesh, fertilizer production has been disrupted in the middle of the agricultural season, while in Nepal diesel prices have risen significantly. In other nations, such as Myanmar and Afghanistan, humanitarian operations face increased logistical costs and the risk of shortages. Although a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran has provided some relief, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains fragile. Reports of ships being attacked or detained maintaining uncertainty in a route through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and a significant portion of the commodity trade pass. For international experts, the current scenario highlights the structural vulnerability of global supply chains, which are highly concentrated in geopolitically unstable regions. If the conflict persists, they warn, the impact could escalate into a broader economic and humanitarian crisis. The impact of the crisis is not limited to the industrial sector. The disruption of maritime trade is also affecting the supply of raw materials for fertilizers, which could have direct consequences for agricultural production and food security. In South and Southeast Asian countries, the increased cost of transportation, fuel, and agricultural inputs is already putting pressure on economies highly dependent on imports. Specific cases reflect the magnitude of the problem. In Bangladesh, fertilizer production has been disrupted in the middle of the agricultural season, while in Nepal, diesel prices have risen significantly. In other nations, such as Myanmar and Afghanistan, humanitarian operations face higher logistical costs and the risk of shortages. Although a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran has provided some relief, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains fragile. Reports of ships being attacked or detained maintain uncertainty on a route through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and a significant portion of the raw materials trade pass. For international experts,The current scenario highlights the structural vulnerability of global supply chains, which are highly concentrated in geopolitically unstable regions. They warn that if the conflict persists, the impact could escalate into a far-reaching economic and humanitarian crisis. The impact of the crisis is not limited to the industrial sector. The disruption of maritime trade is also affecting the supply of raw materials for fertilizers, which could have direct consequences for agricultural production and food security. In South and Southeast Asian countries, the increased cost of transportation, fuel, and agricultural inputs is already putting pressure on economies highly dependent on imports. Specific cases reflect the magnitude of the problem. In Bangladesh, fertilizer production has been disrupted in the middle of the agricultural season, while in Nepal, diesel prices have risen significantly. In other nations, such as Myanmar and Afghanistan, humanitarian operations face higher logistical costs and the risk of shortages. Although a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran has provided some relief, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains fragile. Reports of ships being attacked or detained maintain uncertainty on a route through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and a significant portion of the raw materials trade pass. For international experts, the current scenario highlights the structural vulnerability of global supply chains, which are highly concentrated in geopolitically unstable regions. They warn that if the conflict persists, the impact could escalate into a far-reaching economic and humanitarian crisis. The current scenario highlights the structural vulnerability of global supply chains, which are highly concentrated in geopolitically unstable regions. If the conflict persists, they warn, the impact could escalate into a far-reaching economic and humanitarian crisis. The current scenario highlights the structural vulnerability of global supply chains, which are highly concentrated in geopolitically unstable regions. If the conflict persists, they warn, the impact could escalate into a far-reaching economic and humanitarian crisis.Fertilizer production has been disrupted in the middle of the agricultural season, while in Nepal, diesel prices have risen significantly. In other nations, such as Myanmar and Afghanistan, humanitarian operations face higher logistical costs and the risk of shortages. Although a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran has provided some relief, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains fragile. Reports of ships being attacked or detained maintain uncertainty on a route through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and a significant portion of the raw materials trade pass. For international experts, the current scenario highlights the structural vulnerability of global supply chains, which are highly concentrated in geopolitically unstable regions. They warn that if the conflict persists, the impact could escalate into a far-reaching economic and humanitarian crisis. The current scenario highlights the structural vulnerability of global supply chains, which are highly concentrated in geopolitically unstable regions. If the conflict persists, they warn, the impact could escalate into a far-reaching economic and humanitarian crisis. The current scenario highlights the structural vulnerability of global supply chains, which are highly concentrated in geopolitically unstable regions. If the conflict persists, they warn, the impact could escalate into a far-reaching economic and humanitarian crisis.Fertilizer production has been disrupted in the middle of the agricultural season, while in Nepal, diesel prices have risen significantly. In other nations, such as Myanmar and Afghanistan, humanitarian operations face higher logistical costs and the risk of shortages. Although a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran has provided some relief, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains fragile. Reports of ships being attacked or detained maintain uncertainty on a route through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and a significant portion of the raw materials trade pass. For international experts, the current scenario highlights the structural vulnerability of global supply chains, which are highly concentrated in geopolitically unstable regions. They warn that if the conflict persists, the impact could escalate into a far-reaching economic and humanitarian crisis. The current scenario highlights the structural vulnerability of global supply chains, which are highly concentrated in geopolitically unstable regions. If the conflict persists, they warn, the impact could escalate into a far-reaching economic and humanitarian crisis. The current scenario highlights the structural vulnerability of global supply chains, which are highly concentrated in geopolitically unstable regions. If the conflict persists, they warn, the impact could escalate into a far-reaching economic and humanitarian crisis.