Middle East Conflict

As tensions escalate across the Middle East and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz grinds to a halt, in our daily episode of the Energy Connects podcast, host Chiranjib Sengupta speaks with Nobuo Tanaka, Executive Director Emeritus of the International Energy Agency, and member of the Energy Connects Advisory Board, about what the situation means for Asia’s energy security. Tanaka reflects on the lessons from past oil shocks, including from his tenure at Japan’s METI in 1973 to the IEA in 2011, and highlights the prospect of potential supply disruptions and inflationary pressure. He discusses how countries such as Japan – under the leadership of Prime Minister Takaichi, may respond. The conversation also explores the growing role of nuclear energy, emerging technologies and international collaboration in strengthening long-term energy resilience.

As the Middle East conflict enters its sixth day, global gas markets are facing growing uncertainty and disruption. In the latest episode of the Energy Connect podcast, Robin Mills, CEO of Qamar Energy and Energy Connects columnist, discusses with host Chiranjib Sengupta the sharp rise in natural gas prices, the competition for LNG between Europe and Asia, and the broader implications for energy security. They also explore how resilient the global gas sector is in the face of supply disruptions and what the next few years could hold for LNG markets.

As tensions escalate around the Strait of Hormuz, in our latest Energy Connects Discussions Vandana Hari, Founder and CEO of Vanda Insights, highlights how energy markets are handling the risk of supply disruption, from LNG curtailments in Qatar to shipping delays affecting Asian buyers. Despite the uncertainty, oil prices have so far avoided a dramatic spike, and Vandana explains why Brent has remained relatively contained. She also explores the likelihood of US intervention to stabilise market

The war unfolding in the Middle East for a fourth day has spiralled far beyond a US-Israel-Iran confrontation. Gulf states are now directly exposed. The global economy is entangled. And the longer oil flows from the Middle East remain under threat, the greater the risk that crude surges into triple digits, inflation resurges and recession fears harden, writes Vandana Hari in her latest column.

In our latest Energy Connects Discussions, Dr. Carole Nakhle, CEO of Crystol Energy and Secretary General of the Arab Energy Club, outlines how the escalating Iran war could reshape the global energy landscape. She discusses the resilience of today’s oil market, the role of spare capacity and strategic reserves, and whether infrastructure risks could trigger deeper market instability. The conversation highlights the trade, investment and economic outlook for the energy sector on the face of majo

In the latest episode of the Energy Connects podcast, recorded amid the ongoing US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes across the Gulf, host Chiranjib Sengupta speaks with Gaurav Sharma, Energy Connects columnist and independent energy analyst, about the potential impact for global energy markets. They explore Iran’s role in global oil supply, the risks surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, and the psychological impact on shipping and prices. The discussion also considers OPEC+’s output boost, spare capacity, and the implications for LNG flows from Qatar. With geopolitical tensions rising, the episode assesses how the coming days could shape oil prices, market stability and global energy flows.

The Ayatollah is dead, but the danger to Gulf energy supplies has intensified. While the US and Israel pummel Iran, Iranian drones and missiles hit not just Israel, but its Gulf neighbours. So far, energy facilities are not in the cross-hairs – but how long can that last? Robin M. Mills analyses in his latest column for Energy Connects.