India is facing an LPG shortage for both domestic and commercial use due to the ongoing Iran-US-Israel conflict over the past two weeks. The crisis has emerged after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, the main route for oil transportation, disrupting supplies despite India’s good relations with Middle East countries.
The shortage has caused panic among households, restaurants, and hotels, with long queues outside LPG dealers like HP Gas and Bharat Gas in Goa. Consumers are anxious about obtaining cylinders in the near future.
The Indian government is actively seeking oil from the Middle East and Russia to mitigate the shortage. However, Iran’s surprise attacks on other Middle East countries have further escalated tensions. While the region did not anticipate being drawn into Shia-Sunni conflicts, Iran, targeted by the US and Israel, has continued its missile and drone operations and leveraged its oil reserves in response.
The conflict has affected crude oil and petroleum products, driving shortages and price increases for both domestic and commercial LPG cylinders in India. Given India’s strong diplomatic ties with Middle East and oil-producing nations, the situation is expected to stabilise once the Strait of Hormuz reopens. Iran is also unlikely to sustain the disruption for long, as it depends on oil exports for revenue.
