Middle East conflict fuelling worst energy crisis in 40 years, Russia says

Published March 18, 2026 Updated March 18, 2026 10:22pm

Conflict in the Middle East is disrupting a significant share of global energy supplies and has triggered the most severe energy crisis in the past 40 years, Reuters reports quoting Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.

“In the context of the current Middle East conflict, this affects at least 20 million barrels per day. This is the volume of oil and petroleum products that used to pass through the Strait of Hormuz every day, as recently as 19 days ago,” he said.

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