Why the Iran war could make everything, not just oil, more expensive

It's not just at the pump: supply shocks are being felt everywhere from doctor visits to birthday parties

Published

March 30, 2026 6:30AM (EDT)

A drop of petrol falls from the nozzle of a petrol pump at a petrol station in Vélizy-Villacoublay, near Paris, on March 9, 2026. (Photo by Alain JOCARD / AFP)

The joint U.S.-Israel war with Iran is causing major disruptions to the energy sector, but that’s not all. With the Strait of Hormuz closed in the wake of attacks across the Middle East, more than just oil is being blocked. And, if the war drags on, everything from medical testing to plastic packaging could be negatively impacted.