April 10: Impact of US-Iran War on International Economy, Financial Markets, and Livelihoods
Since the fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States was announced, the first non-Iranian oil tanker passed through the Strait of Hormuz on April 9. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lowered its global economic growth forecast due to the Middle East war and warned that up to $50 billion in emergency aid may be needed. Attacks on Saudi Arabian energy facilities reduced daily crude oil production by approximately 600,000 barrels. The Japanese government plans to release an additional 20 days' worth of national oil reserves starting in early May, anticipating continued instability in the Strait of Hormuz. Thailand's tourism industry has also been severely impacted by the decline in Middle Eastern tourists.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 18:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 10, 2026 at 19:00 (1h 0m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 21:53 (122h 53m after Collected)
Data from the ship tracking website MarineTraffic shows that the first non-Iranian oil tanker passed through the Strait of Hormuz on April 9, since Iran and the United States announced a fragile ceasefire.
According to AFP, the oil tanker MSG, flying the flag of the African nation of Gabon, passed through this strategic waterway on April 9, carrying approximately 7,000 metric tons of heavy oil from the United Arab Emirates, en route to India.
Shipping activity in this important waterway indicates that the Strait of Hormuz has not truly reopened since the two-week ceasefire took effect.
Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), pointed out that due to the Middle East war, the IMF will lower its global economic growth forecast and warned that even if the fragile ceasefire holds, the conflict will leave a "scarring effect."
According to AFP, Georgieva stated that even under the IMF's most optimistic scenario, rising energy costs, damaged infrastructure, supply chain disruptions, and declining market confidence will all cause global economic growth to be lower than originally expected.
The IMF estimates that up to $50 billion in emergency financial assistance will be needed for war-affected countries, and at least 45 million people will face food shortages.
Georgieva said: "Considering the spillover effects of the war, we expect the demand for IMF international balance of payments assistance to increase by $20 billion to $50 billion in the short term; if the ceasefire continues, the demand may be closer to the lower end of the range."
Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted an energy ministry official as saying that attacks on Saudi Arabian energy facilities led to a reduction of approximately 600,000 barrels in the country's daily crude oil production, and the flow through the "East-West Pipeline" across the east and west coasts also decreased by about 700,000 barrels.
SPA pointed out that the latest attacks, coupled with previous strikes on some facilities, also disrupted the operation of key oil, natural gas, refining, petrochemical, and power facilities in Riyadh, Eastern Province, and Yanbu Industrial City.
Since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran in late February, Saudi Arabia had not previously provided details of the impact of such attacks on oil field production, refineries, and pipeline flows.
Since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran in late February, Saudi Arabia had not previously provided details of the impact of such attacks on oil field production, refineries, and pipeline flows.
In after-hours trading on April 9, benchmark Brent crude oil futures prices rose; futures settlement prices had previously risen by $1.17, or 1.2%, to $95.92 per barrel.
The Japanese government held its third cabinet meeting on the Middle East situation at the Prime Minister's Office on the morning of April 10. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced during the meeting that the government plans to release an additional approximately 20 days' worth of national oil reserves starting in early May.
According to Kyodo News, Japan believes that even if the US and Iran reach a ceasefire agreement, the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy transportation route, will remain in a state of chaos. Takaichi stated on April 10, "We hope to be fully prepared to stabilize crude oil supply."
Japan had already released its first wave of approximately 50 days' worth of oil reserves starting in mid-March, with the release expected to conclude by the end of April, after which the second wave of reserves is planned to be released.
Takaichi also pointed out that there have been problems with the distribution of thinners for residential construction and automotive coatings, and concerns have arisen regarding the supply of heavy oil used in green tea production. She has instructed relevant units to resolve these situations.
Middle East War Impacts Bangkok Tourism: Businesses Say Revenue Down 80%, Like a Repeat of the Pandemic
Bangkok's Nana district in Thailand is a popular destination for Middle Eastern tourists and has become an Arab community hub in recent years, with many restaurants and shops catering specifically to Arab visitors. However, the US-Iran war has led to a sharp decline in tourists from the Middle East, with travel agencies and perfume shops seeing their business drop by 80%. They lament that it feels like the pandemic has returned.
The US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, escalating tensions in the Middle East and impacting Thailand's tourism industry. Although tourists from the Middle East account for a small proportion of Thailand's total foreign visitors, official statistics show that the number of Middle Eastern tourists in February this year decreased by more than half, from 32,831 last year to 16,080. (Editor: Chen Cheng-chien) 1150410
According to AFP, the oil tanker MSG, flying the flag of the African nation of Gabon, passed through this strategic waterway on April 9, carrying approximately 7,000 metric tons of heavy oil from the United Arab Emirates, en route to India.
Shipping activity in this important waterway indicates that the Strait of Hormuz has not truly reopened since the two-week ceasefire took effect.
Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), pointed out that due to the Middle East war, the IMF will lower its global economic growth forecast and warned that even if the fragile ceasefire holds, the conflict will leave a "scarring effect."
According to AFP, Georgieva stated that even under the IMF's most optimistic scenario, rising energy costs, damaged infrastructure, supply chain disruptions, and declining market confidence will all cause global economic growth to be lower than originally expected.
The IMF estimates that up to $50 billion in emergency financial assistance will be needed for war-affected countries, and at least 45 million people will face food shortages.
Georgieva said: "Considering the spillover effects of the war, we expect the demand for IMF international balance of payments assistance to increase by $20 billion to $50 billion in the short term; if the ceasefire continues, the demand may be closer to the lower end of the range."
Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted an energy ministry official as saying that attacks on Saudi Arabian energy facilities led to a reduction of approximately 600,000 barrels in the country's daily crude oil production, and the flow through the "East-West Pipeline" across the east and west coasts also decreased by about 700,000 barrels.
SPA pointed out that the latest attacks, coupled with previous strikes on some facilities, also disrupted the operation of key oil, natural gas, refining, petrochemical, and power facilities in Riyadh, Eastern Province, and Yanbu Industrial City.
Since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran in late February, Saudi Arabia had not previously provided details of the impact of such attacks on oil field production, refineries, and pipeline flows.
Since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran in late February, Saudi Arabia had not previously provided details of the impact of such attacks on oil field production, refineries, and pipeline flows.
In after-hours trading on April 9, benchmark Brent crude oil futures prices rose; futures settlement prices had previously risen by $1.17, or 1.2%, to $95.92 per barrel.
The Japanese government held its third cabinet meeting on the Middle East situation at the Prime Minister's Office on the morning of April 10. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced during the meeting that the government plans to release an additional approximately 20 days' worth of national oil reserves starting in early May.
According to Kyodo News, Japan believes that even if the US and Iran reach a ceasefire agreement, the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy transportation route, will remain in a state of chaos. Takaichi stated on April 10, "We hope to be fully prepared to stabilize crude oil supply."
Japan had already released its first wave of approximately 50 days' worth of oil reserves starting in mid-March, with the release expected to conclude by the end of April, after which the second wave of reserves is planned to be released.
Takaichi also pointed out that there have been problems with the distribution of thinners for residential construction and automotive coatings, and concerns have arisen regarding the supply of heavy oil used in green tea production. She has instructed relevant units to resolve these situations.
Middle East War Impacts Bangkok Tourism: Businesses Say Revenue Down 80%, Like a Repeat of the Pandemic
Bangkok's Nana district in Thailand is a popular destination for Middle Eastern tourists and has become an Arab community hub in recent years, with many restaurants and shops catering specifically to Arab visitors. However, the US-Iran war has led to a sharp decline in tourists from the Middle East, with travel agencies and perfume shops seeing their business drop by 80%. They lament that it feels like the pandemic has returned.
The US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, escalating tensions in the Middle East and impacting Thailand's tourism industry. Although tourists from the Middle East account for a small proportion of Thailand's total foreign visitors, official statistics show that the number of Middle Eastern tourists in February this year decreased by more than half, from 32,831 last year to 16,080. (Editor: Chen Cheng-chien) 1150410