Despite the ongoing war in the Middle East, Iran continues exporting oil, mainly to China, despite the tense situation in the Strait of Hormuz. According to data, in March Iran is loading about 1.5 million barrels of oil per day, of which around 1.25 million barrels reach China.

At the same time, the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important routes for transporting global oil and liquefied gas, has effectively turned into a military zone. Since the beginning of the war, at least 16 attacks on commercial vessels have been recorded in the strait and the Persian Gulf, causing serious concern in global energy markets.

The situation has forced international organizations to take emergency measures. The International Energy Agency announced the release of 400 million barrels of strategic oil reserves, the largest such move in the organization’s history. The step aims to stabilize markets after oil supplies sharply declined as a result of the war.

Despite these measures, oil prices remain unstable and at certain periods have exceeded 100 dollars per barrel. According to analysts, the main problem is not only the quantity of oil but also the difficulty of transporting it safely through militarized sea routes.

The consequences of the war are also being felt in the gas market. Gas prices in Europe have risen amid fears that attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf could disrupt supplies of liquefied natural gas.

Experts note that a unique contradictory situation has emerged: Iran cannot completely block global oil flows without harming its own economy, yet it is capable of making the Strait of Hormuz so dangerous that it influences global markets and international politics.