Iran Threatens Red Sea Route; Economics Minister: Energy Procurement Still Focused on Red Sea
Taiwan's Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin stated that despite Iran's threats to block the Red Sea, there is no actual action yet, and energy procurement remains primarily focused on the Red Sea route.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 10:51
- 🔍 Collected: April 16, 2026 at 11:31 (40 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 03:33 (64h 1m after Collected)
(Central News Agency reporter Tseng Chih-yi, Taipei, 16th) Iran has threatened to block important shipping lanes such as the Red Sea if the United States continues to blockade its ports. Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin stated today that whether Iran can carry out its threat remains to be seen, and there is no actual action at present. Because there are still some disputes regarding the Strait of Hormuz, energy procurement is primarily routed through the Red Sea.
The Economics Committee of the Legislative Yuan today invited Kung Ming-hsin and others to report on the 'Current Development, Construction Progress, Capacity Goals, Promotion Difficulties, Regulatory Obstacles, and Related Improvement Countermeasures of Taiwan's Renewable Energy and Grid Resilience', and to prepare for interpellation. Kung accepted media interviews before the meeting.
When asked by the media whether there are signs of easing in the Middle East situation and whether state-owned enterprises under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, such as CPC Corporation, have felt that energy procurement has become smoother, Kung stated that he is of course optimistic about good news, but it is still necessary to make the best preparations. It currently appears that oil prices have fallen slightly to 100 US dollars per barrel.
The Iranian military warned that if the US continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports, the Iranian military will block trade routes such as the Red Sea. Kung Ming-hsin said that there are still some disputes in the Strait of Hormuz, so basically, the main route for energy procurement is still from the Red Sea; as for whether Iran can carry out its threat, it still needs continuous observation. It looks fine right now, and there is no actual action.
He emphasized that the current energy procurement is still mainly focused on the Red Sea, and no problems have been encountered so far.
Regarding the distribution of plastic bags, Kung said that affordable projects have already been distributed to retail channels, including Showba hardware stores, etc., while markets and commercial districts may take a little longer.
The media was concerned about how the government advocates plastic reduction or assists businesses in increasing the use of eco-friendly bags. Kung said that during seminars with commercial districts, markets, and night markets, plastic reduction is encouraged. Currently, the reuse of outer takeaway bags is encouraged. As for the inner bags used by vendors, it is harder to ban them, which is why inner bags are the main item of the affordable project. (Editor: Chang Chun-mao) 1150416
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The Economics Committee of the Legislative Yuan today invited Kung Ming-hsin and others to report on the 'Current Development, Construction Progress, Capacity Goals, Promotion Difficulties, Regulatory Obstacles, and Related Improvement Countermeasures of Taiwan's Renewable Energy and Grid Resilience', and to prepare for interpellation. Kung accepted media interviews before the meeting.
When asked by the media whether there are signs of easing in the Middle East situation and whether state-owned enterprises under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, such as CPC Corporation, have felt that energy procurement has become smoother, Kung stated that he is of course optimistic about good news, but it is still necessary to make the best preparations. It currently appears that oil prices have fallen slightly to 100 US dollars per barrel.
The Iranian military warned that if the US continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports, the Iranian military will block trade routes such as the Red Sea. Kung Ming-hsin said that there are still some disputes in the Strait of Hormuz, so basically, the main route for energy procurement is still from the Red Sea; as for whether Iran can carry out its threat, it still needs continuous observation. It looks fine right now, and there is no actual action.
He emphasized that the current energy procurement is still mainly focused on the Red Sea, and no problems have been encountered so far.
Regarding the distribution of plastic bags, Kung said that affordable projects have already been distributed to retail channels, including Showba hardware stores, etc., while markets and commercial districts may take a little longer.
The media was concerned about how the government advocates plastic reduction or assists businesses in increasing the use of eco-friendly bags. Kung said that during seminars with commercial districts, markets, and night markets, plastic reduction is encouraged. Currently, the reuse of outer takeaway bags is encouraged. As for the inner bags used by vendors, it is harder to ban them, which is why inner bags are the main item of the affordable project. (Editor: Chang Chun-mao) 1150416
Choose to stand with the facts, every sponsorship from you is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, pictures, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.