The Impacts of The Iran War

by Riley Lyons, sophomore

On February 28th, the supreme leader of Iran was fatally killed in an attack in Iran. The attack, called “Operation Epic Fury” by the US, involved advanced military equipment costing millions of dollars. When they first attacked, they targeted Iran’s missile infrastructure as well as military sites. The wide-ranging strikes on Iran from Israel and the US have caused mass paranoia and even rage in the Middle East after this attack. In response to this event, Iran had launched attacks on Israel and even US-allied states in the Gulf. But how does this affect everyone else?

Iran has been accused of attacking ships in the Gulf, forcing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery accounting for 20% of the global oil supply. The attacks have forced some of the world’s largest oil and gas producers to shut down production, leading to a rise in energy prices.

Arab states located in the Persian Gulf, as well as Iran, rely heavily on the Strait of Hormuz for their energy exports. The oil production of Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates all collectively dropped by a reported 6.7 million barrels per day. By mid-March, 70% of the region’s food imports were disrupted, resulting in a 40 to 120% spike in consumer prices.

Rising health care costs have also affected people due to the war and due to supply chain disruption. Almost as if it were a domino effect, the rising gas prices affect the ability of the delivery drivers to transport medical goods. Experts say that the costs may increase by about 10%.

The Philippines, on March 24th, declared a state of emergency due to the simultaneous strike by transport workers. Other countries like Zimbabwe, Pakistan, and Nigeria face similar problems with a severe shortage of fuel.

Works Cited

“Economics of the 2026 Iran War.” Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_impact_of_the_2026_Iran_war. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.

“Why Did the US and Israel Attack Iran and How Long Could the War Last?” BBC, 5 Apr. 2026, http://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2dyz6p3weo. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.