STRAIT OF HORMUZ — Iran has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz, halting shipments of crude oil, liquefied natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas through the strategic waterway. The blockade has triggered disruptions in global energy and commodity supplies that began in early April 2026.

Iran insists it has a sovereign right over the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian officials. The U.S. says that reopening the strait is a condition for a cease-fire, according to U.S. officials.

Liquefied petroleum gas is the refined product most affected by the Hormuz blockade, according to the International Energy Agency. The fuel, a mixture of propane, butane, and other gases used in heating appliances, cooking devices, automobile fuel, and refrigerators, has seen severe supply disruptions in major importing nations.

India imports about 90 percent of its liquefied petroleum gas from the Middle East, and shortages have affected hundreds of millions of people in the country. The shortage has forced people to cook using coal, firewood, and cow dung. Peter Wilton, analyst at Argus, noted that China was the second-largest importer of liquefied petroleum gas via the Strait of Hormuz in 2025, after India. "Domestic liquefied petroleum gas prices in China reached a 12-year high as of April 1," Wilton said.

The blockade has also disrupted fertilizer shipments critical to global food production. About 30 percent of global fertilizer trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the United Nations. According to Windward, eighty-six percent of ships carrying fertilizers from the Persian Gulf to East Africa had ceased operations.

The UN World Food Program said that countries that rely heavily on imported food, fuel, and fertilizers are especially exposed to global price shocks. The organization said that in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, farmers entering planting season risk being unable to treat their crops, resulting in lower yields and higher food prices in the months ahead. The program added that even small increases in costs can push vulnerable families into crisis.

According to an analysis by ING, surging fertilizer prices would lead to reduced global wheat and corn production. Fifty percent of global sulfur shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Sulfur, a byproduct of oil and gas processing, is an essential ingredient in phosphate fertilizer production.

Other commodities affected by the blockade include aluminum and helium. Gulf countries account for nearly 10 percent of global aluminum supply. The U.S. imports more than one-fifth of its aluminum from the Persian Gulf region. Aluminum prices have risen by about 11 percent since February 28, reaching the highest level since March 2022.

Roughly one-third of the world's helium supply comes from Qatar. Taiwan said it has sufficient helium stocks for the near term.