The conflict in Iran has led to significant supply disruptions in the global aluminum sector, as reported by the Financial Times. The Middle East accounts for about 10% of the world's aluminum production, and with various factories shutting down due to the war, concerns are rising over a potential aluminum supply crisis. The region's already low global supply levels are further exacerbated by this ongoing conflict.

Major producers such as Qatar Aluminium and Alba have indicated they can no longer meet their contractual obligations due to these disruptions. Qatar's national energy company, QatarEnergy, is unable to supply gas to the Qatalum plant, with its complete restart estimated to take six to twelve months. Alba, one of the world's largest smelters, has classified the situation as a force majeure event, underlining the severity of the circumstances they are currently facing.

According to Neil Welsh, head of brokerage firm Britannia Global Markets, the shutdowns of smelters in the Persian Gulf, combined with the poor state of shipping, have resulted in the sharpest supply crisis the industry has faced since the disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As the crisis continues, various stakeholders in the aluminum industry are closely monitoring the situation, as the global economy relies heavily on this essential metal for various applications.