The US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran over the weekend, prompting Tehran to threaten the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transit route in the Persian Gulf, and to attack several Gulf monarchies on the Arabian Peninsula. As the military confrontation continues, markets are assessing the potential impact on the global economy.

Semiconductor industry insiders report that memory shortages and price surges have intensified alongside AI industry growth, pushing some memory prices into an “hourly pricing” model. This development spells a survival nightmare for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) lacking bargaining power.

As the US–Iran war threatens to drive up global energy prices, concerns have been growing regarding Taiwan’s energy supply, which is highly reliant on imported liquified natural gas (LNG) for generating electricity. Taking into account shipping times from the Middle East, industry experts expect that real impacts on Taiwan’s oil and gas imports from the current conflict will begin after March 15. Oil and gas inventories are secure for now, as fuel already loaded and en route will ensure stable short-term supply.