'If the war lasts 2-3 weeks, it will bring devastation...,' Qatar's serious warning as India prepares Plan-B
Qatar's energy minister warns that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East could spike oil prices above $150 per barrel and disrupt global energy supplies.
The ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel has escalated over the last week, with the U.S. taking an active role by supporting Israel's attacks on Iran. Among the tragic daily toll during the fighting are numerous innocent lives lost, exacerbating international concern about the broader implications of this war. As the violence persists, attention has turned to the economic fallout, particularly related to the oil market, which is central to the region's geopolitical tensions.
On the seventh day of the conflict, Qatar's Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi issued a stark warning regarding the potential economic repercussions. He indicated that if energy supplies from the Middle East were disrupted due to the ongoing war, it could significantly destabilize the global economy. Al-Kaabi highlighted the possibility of oil prices increasing to over $150 per barrel within a few weeks if exports were affected. Even if the war were to cease immediately, he warned that normalizing production and supply levels could take weeks to months.
The war's effects are already seen in Qatar, which has temporarily halted production at its massive LNG plant in Ras Laffan Industrial City, raising concerns over global gas supplies. This situation underlines the interconnectedness of global markets and the potential cascade of failures arising from regional conflicts. The implications of this crisis resonate far beyond the Middle East, emphasizing the urgent need for diplomatic resolutions and strategic planning by countries like India, which are now preparing alternative measures to mitigate the impending economic impact.