BREAKING: The US just struck Kharg Island, through which 90

The US has targeted Kharg Island, a critical hub for Iran’s crude oil exports, intensifying a crisis that already sees bridges and railways across Iran in ruins. The impact on global markets is profound, with crude prices reacting sharply. However, the real concern lies in the destruction of Asaluyeh and Mahshahr, essential for converting crude into vital petrochemical molecules. This disruption threatens to destabilize industries dependent on ethylene, propylene, and other critical chemicals. The International Energy Agency describes this as the largest supply shock in oil market history, but the true bottleneck is in petrochemical production, not crude barrels. With infrastructure repair timelines stretching from 18 months to several years, the global market faces a prolonged challenge. As Iran's infrastructure is dismantled, the implications reach beyond immediate oil markets, impacting everything from agriculture to high-tech manufacturing. The global economy must now contend with the long-term repercussions of this conflict, as petrochemical supply chains are stretched to their limits.