April 17: Impact of US-Iran War on International Economy, Financial Markets, and Livelihoods
The US-Iran war has impacted the global economy, but optimism for Middle East peace boosted the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to record highs. However, the IEA and IMF warned of energy shortages, with Europe potentially running out of aviation fuel in six weeks due to the Strait of Hormuz blockade. South Korean ships are now rerouting through the Red Sea for oil supplies.
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- 📰 Published: April 17, 2026 at 17:27
- 🔍 Collected: April 17, 2026 at 17:31 (4 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 18:04 (32 min after Collected)
US-Iran War Key News
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Taipei, 17th, comprehensive foreign reports) Israel and Lebanon reached a temporary ceasefire, and US President Trump hinted that the US and Iran might meet again this weekend, boosting the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to new historical highs. However, the International Energy Agency and the International Monetary Fund still warned about the energy shortage crisis.
Hormuz Strait Blockade Affects Crude Oil Supply, Korean Ships Pass Red Sea for First Time
After the Strait of Hormuz was blocked, the Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced that a Korean vessel carrying crude oil passed through the Red Sea for the first time on the 17th, with the government conducting 24-hour monitoring to ensure safety; this was a response measure taken due to unstable crude oil supply caused by the Middle East conflict.
Yonhap News reported that the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated that a Korean vessel loaded with crude oil in Saudi Arabia has safely passed through the Red Sea. This is the first case of crude oil being transported back to Korea via the Red Sea detour route after the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
Optimism for Middle East Peace Boosts S&P, Nasdaq to Record Highs
Driven by optimism that the worst of the Middle East conflict is over, the S&P 500 index and the technology-heavy Nasdaq index closed slightly higher on the 16th, reaching new historical highs for two consecutive days.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 115.00 points or 0.24% to close at 48578.72 points; the S&P 500 index rose 18.33 points or 0.26% to close at 7041.28 points; the Nasdaq index rose 86.69 points or 0.36% to close at 24102.70 points. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq briefly touched new historical highs during intraday trading.
International Energy Agency: Europe's Aviation Fuel Could Run Out in 6 Weeks
The International Energy Agency (IEA) warned on the 16th that Europe could run out of aviation fuel in as little as six weeks. European airlines are preparing for the peak travel season, and whether the fuel crisis can be resolved will depend on how long the Strait of Hormuz blockade continues.
The IEA said in an email to financial news network CNBC: "Within the next six weeks, several European countries may begin to face aviation fuel shortages, the severity of which will depend on how much they can import fuel from international markets to compensate for the shortfall from the Middle East; the Middle East previously accounted for 75% of Europe's net aviation fuel imports."
Far-Reaching Impact of Middle East War, IMF: Asia-Pacific and Africa Also in Crisis
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned on the 16th that the impact of the Iran war is not limited to the Middle East region, and some countries far outside the region may also suffer "very serious" consequences, especially energy-importing countries.
AFP reported that due to the almost complete disruption of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the Asia-Pacific and sub-Saharan Africa regions are currently the most affected areas.
Ship-to-Ship Transshipment Hub Off Singapore and Malaysia, Iranian Crude Continues to Flow to China
Despite the Middle East war, ship-to-ship (STS) transshipment of Iranian oil continues in the waters off Singapore, thousands of miles from the Strait of Hormuz, helping Tehran circumvent sanctions and maintain trade with China.
Currently, nearly 400 oil tankers are subject to US, EU, or UK sanctions for involvement in Iran-related activities. These oil tankers can "launder" the origin of goods through ship-to-ship transshipment on the high seas, concealing the true origin of the oil.
The waters off Malaysia and Singapore, about 100 kilometers southeast of the Malay Peninsula, have become an important hub for transshipping Iranian crude oil.
In Response to Middle East Situation, Japan Plans to Release 50 Million Medical Gloves to Meet Demand
The Middle East war has affected the supply of oil-related products, and the Japanese government has launched response measures. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on the evening of the 16th that 50 million pairs of national reserve medical gloves will be released starting in May, prioritizing medical institutions facing shortages to stabilize the medical system.
Japan's Fuji News Network (FNN) reported that Takaichi stated at a cabinet meeting on the Middle East situation that the "circulation of medical supplies is gradually improving," but emphasized that "any unforeseen circumstances will not be tolerated," instructing the early release of reserve resources to prevent supply disruptions.
Middle East War Causes Energy Shortage, Indian Catering Industry Loses 260 Billion Monthly
The Middle East war has led to a global energy shortage, and the Indian catering industry has also been affected. Various restaurants have been forced to change cooking methods or temporarily close, with the entire catering industry losing approximately 790 billion rupees (about 268.8 billion New Taiwan dollars) per month as a result.
Data from the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) shows that the shortage of commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is estimated to cause a loss of approximately 790 billion rupees to the Indian catering industry every month. (Editor: Hung Pei-ying) 1150417
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Taipei, 17th, comprehensive foreign reports) Israel and Lebanon reached a temporary ceasefire, and US President Trump hinted that the US and Iran might meet again this weekend, boosting the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to new historical highs. However, the International Energy Agency and the International Monetary Fund still warned about the energy shortage crisis.
Hormuz Strait Blockade Affects Crude Oil Supply, Korean Ships Pass Red Sea for First Time
After the Strait of Hormuz was blocked, the Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced that a Korean vessel carrying crude oil passed through the Red Sea for the first time on the 17th, with the government conducting 24-hour monitoring to ensure safety; this was a response measure taken due to unstable crude oil supply caused by the Middle East conflict.
Yonhap News reported that the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated that a Korean vessel loaded with crude oil in Saudi Arabia has safely passed through the Red Sea. This is the first case of crude oil being transported back to Korea via the Red Sea detour route after the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
Optimism for Middle East Peace Boosts S&P, Nasdaq to Record Highs
Driven by optimism that the worst of the Middle East conflict is over, the S&P 500 index and the technology-heavy Nasdaq index closed slightly higher on the 16th, reaching new historical highs for two consecutive days.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 115.00 points or 0.24% to close at 48578.72 points; the S&P 500 index rose 18.33 points or 0.26% to close at 7041.28 points; the Nasdaq index rose 86.69 points or 0.36% to close at 24102.70 points. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq briefly touched new historical highs during intraday trading.
International Energy Agency: Europe's Aviation Fuel Could Run Out in 6 Weeks
The International Energy Agency (IEA) warned on the 16th that Europe could run out of aviation fuel in as little as six weeks. European airlines are preparing for the peak travel season, and whether the fuel crisis can be resolved will depend on how long the Strait of Hormuz blockade continues.
The IEA said in an email to financial news network CNBC: "Within the next six weeks, several European countries may begin to face aviation fuel shortages, the severity of which will depend on how much they can import fuel from international markets to compensate for the shortfall from the Middle East; the Middle East previously accounted for 75% of Europe's net aviation fuel imports."
Far-Reaching Impact of Middle East War, IMF: Asia-Pacific and Africa Also in Crisis
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned on the 16th that the impact of the Iran war is not limited to the Middle East region, and some countries far outside the region may also suffer "very serious" consequences, especially energy-importing countries.
AFP reported that due to the almost complete disruption of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the Asia-Pacific and sub-Saharan Africa regions are currently the most affected areas.
Ship-to-Ship Transshipment Hub Off Singapore and Malaysia, Iranian Crude Continues to Flow to China
Despite the Middle East war, ship-to-ship (STS) transshipment of Iranian oil continues in the waters off Singapore, thousands of miles from the Strait of Hormuz, helping Tehran circumvent sanctions and maintain trade with China.
Currently, nearly 400 oil tankers are subject to US, EU, or UK sanctions for involvement in Iran-related activities. These oil tankers can "launder" the origin of goods through ship-to-ship transshipment on the high seas, concealing the true origin of the oil.
The waters off Malaysia and Singapore, about 100 kilometers southeast of the Malay Peninsula, have become an important hub for transshipping Iranian crude oil.
In Response to Middle East Situation, Japan Plans to Release 50 Million Medical Gloves to Meet Demand
The Middle East war has affected the supply of oil-related products, and the Japanese government has launched response measures. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on the evening of the 16th that 50 million pairs of national reserve medical gloves will be released starting in May, prioritizing medical institutions facing shortages to stabilize the medical system.
Japan's Fuji News Network (FNN) reported that Takaichi stated at a cabinet meeting on the Middle East situation that the "circulation of medical supplies is gradually improving," but emphasized that "any unforeseen circumstances will not be tolerated," instructing the early release of reserve resources to prevent supply disruptions.
Middle East War Causes Energy Shortage, Indian Catering Industry Loses 260 Billion Monthly
The Middle East war has led to a global energy shortage, and the Indian catering industry has also been affected. Various restaurants have been forced to change cooking methods or temporarily close, with the entire catering industry losing approximately 790 billion rupees (about 268.8 billion New Taiwan dollars) per month as a result.
Data from the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) shows that the shortage of commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is estimated to cause a loss of approximately 790 billion rupees to the Indian catering industry every month. (Editor: Hung Pei-ying) 1150417
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio-visual content on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.
FAQ
What are the main impacts of the Middle East situation on the international economy?
Unstable crude oil supply, rising energy prices, and aviation fuel shortages in some regions are among the impacts.
Why did the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reach new historical highs?
Optimism that the worst of the Middle East conflict is over, driven by a temporary ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon and President Trump's hint of a potential US-Iran meeting, boosted the markets.