As the war launched by Israel against Iran sets the Middle East ablaze, the global economy teeters on the brink of an unprecedented crisis.

Israel’s strikes on Iran’s key infrastructure, and Tehran’s retaliatory responses, have shaken energy markets and sounded alarm bells for the economies of the USA, Israel, and the wider world.

The Strait of Hormuz—through which 20% of the world’s oil and 25% of its liquefied natural gas flows—is under threat of closure, and even the mere possibility of such a scenario has driven energy prices to catastrophic levels.

For the USA—already burdened with $37 trillion in debt, chronic inflation, and widespread fatigue from foreign entanglements—full-scale involvement in this conflict could spell economic and geopolitical suicide

                          Relentless Shock to Global Energy Markets

Above all, the Iran-Israel war has imperiled global energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 million barrels of oil—one-fifth of the global supply—and a quarter of global LNG pass daily, now faces crisis due to Iranian threats of closure.

Israeli attacks on Iranian oil infrastructure, including Kharg Island—responsible for over 90% of Iran’s oil exports—have disrupted global supply.

According to Bloomberg, Brent crude prices rose from $72 in early June 2025 to $78 per barrel, and Goldman Sachs analysts warn that the closure of Hormuz could push prices to $150 or even higher.

For the USA, such an oil shock would have devastating consequences. Every $10 increase in oil prices raises consumer inflation by 0.5%. If prices hit $130 per barrel, inflation in the USA could jump to 5.5%, forcing the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates—an action that could derail the fragile economic recovery.

Gasoline prices, currently around $4 per gallon, could surge to $7 or more, placing unbearable pressure on American households already struggling with high living costs.

Clear View Energy Partners estimates that such a price spike could add up to $2,500 annually to household fuel expenses.

Key sectors like transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture would face rising costs, threatening the 2% economic growth forecast by the IMF for 2025.

Israel is not immune to this energy shock either. Shutdowns of the Leviathan and Karish gas fields—which supply two-thirds of the country’s gas—have forced Israel to rely on more expensive fuels like coal and fuel oil.

This has increased domestic energy costs and halted gas exports to Egypt and Jordan, reducing Israel’s foreign currency earnings.

              Global fallout: Inflation, Recession, and Supply Chain Collapse

The Iran-Israel war threatens the global economy through rising energy prices, supply chain disruptions, and inflationary pressures.

Higher oil prices raise production costs in critical sectors like petrochemicals, plastics, and agriculture, driving up consumer goods prices worldwide.

Asian countries such as India, Japan, and South Korea—which are heavily reliant on oil imports—face these shocks with limited reserves and mounting currency pressure.

In Europe, which turned to Gulf LNG after Russian gas was cut off, disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could cause energy prices to skyrocket and push already sluggish economies into recession.

Global financial markets are also trembling. After Israel’s initial strikes on June 13, 2025, the U.S. S&P 500 index fell by 2% and Europe’s STOXX 600 dropped by 1.8%.

Capital Economics predicts that a broader regional war could cut global growth by 0.4% and increase inflation by 1.5%, pushing the world toward 1970s-style stagflation.

Escalated attacks by Iranian proxies, such as Yemen in the Red Sea, have raised maritime insurance costs by up to 30%, disrupting global supply chains.

For the USA, highly dependent on Asian imports this means higher prices and shortages of essential goods. Israel, too, faces a deepening domestic economic crisis.

Israel’s war againt Iran costs $200M a day

According to Middle East Monitor, the war is costing the country $200 million daily—equal to 5% of its 2025 GDP.

Israeli economist Yaakov Sheinin has warned that a prolonged conflict with Iran could wipe out 20% of Israel’s GDP and push the country into a full-blown financial crisis.

                                  Strategic risks for the United States

Full-scale US involvement in this war carries unprecedented economic and geopolitical risks. With $37 trillion in national debt and a $1.8 trillion annual deficit, the USA cannot afford another Middle East war.

The Iraq experience—which cost over $2 trillion—shows how such interventions drain national resources.

General Douglas Macgregor has warned that defending against Iran’s cheap $20,000 drones with $4 million Patriot missiles would rapidly deplete the US military budget.

Moreover, the 40,000 US troops stationed in the Persian Gulf are vulnerable to Iranian missile attacks, risking heavy human and financial losses.

Geopolitically, American intervention threatens its global alliances. European countries, which support nuclear diplomacy with Iran, are likely to oppose unilateral US military action.

China and Russia—both diplomatically aligned with Iran—could exploit the chaos to expand their influence in the Middle East, further weakening America’s global position.

Kyle Rodda, a financial markets analyst, told Al Jazeera that a major war could jeopardize the USA-China strategic rivalry by diverting American resources into the Middle East.

Domestically, public support for military intervention is low. A YouGov poll in June 2025 showed that a clear majority of Americans oppose involvement in the Iran-Israel war, with only a small minority in favor.

Rising gas prices and inflation could fuel public discontent and political instability, especially as the 2026 midterm elections approach.

                         A war that could break the Global Economy

The Iran-Israel war is an existential threat to the economies of the US, Israel, and the world. Oil shocks, soaring inflation, and supply chain disruptions are only part of the fallout.

For America, entering this war would mean skyrocketing gas prices, economic recession, and a weakened global standing—all while its public and allies oppose such a move. Israel faces devastating financial and economic costs that could cripple its economy.

Diplomacy, however difficult, remains the only way to avert this economic storm. The USA must learn from its past mistakes in Iraq and Afghanistan and exercise restraint, paving the way for negotiations.

The world is on the edge of a cliff—and only diplomatic wisdom can pull it back from the brink.

Middle East Monitor / ABC Flash Point News 2025.

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7 Comments
Freefall
Freefall
Member
June 22, 2025 23:08

The question then is: why would the American government invite disaster by attacking Iran, while Iran never attacked the USA? What America is saying to Iran is that because America has the military power to destroy Iran and that America would be prepared to do so, Iran must give in to their demonic proposals? Unless Iran is willing to be attacked by the European bloodline Khazarica Jews in Iran and the must sign a political one-sided agreement? The same happened to Palestine without attacking them back, because they have no army, naval forces or air force to do so! There… Read more »

Valkyrie
Valkyrie
Member
Reply to  Freefall
June 22, 2025 23:16

comment image?fit=920%2C613&ssl=1

Highlander
Highlander
Member
Reply to  Freefall
June 24, 2025 09:36

The IAEA Sees no proof of Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Program

Zionism is Terrorism
Zionism is Terrorism
Member
June 22, 2025 23:13

The West’s war on Iran was pre-planned with diplomacy as the deception.
As bombs rain down on Iranian cities and missiles arc across the skies of the Middle East, we must speak plainly: this is not merely a war between Israel and Iran.

It is a war against sovereignty, waged by an Israeli-Western coalition that has long sought to dismantle any state in the Global South that dares to chart an independent course.

Mission Impossible
Mission Impossible
Member
Reply to  Zionism is Terrorism
June 22, 2025 23:14

comment image?fit=920%2C613&ssl=1

Space Invadors
Space Invadors
Member
June 23, 2025 02:37

After bombing Iran the US regime ordered Iran into peace talks, how crazy can one get? Bombing in exchange for diplomacy.