The US-Israeli war on Iran threatens global energy. How is Asia preparing?
Image: South China Morning Post

The US-Israeli war on Iran threatens global energy. How is Asia preparing?

11 March, 2026.Iran.1 sources

Key Takeaways

  • China, Japan and South Korea implemented measures to mitigate energy supply shortages.
  • Analysts warn energy supply shortages could spill over into wider economic and market disruptions.
  • Trump said the US-Israeli war on Iran could end 'very soon', not within the week.

Conflict and market risks

Under mounting economic pressure and record oil market volatility, Trump said on Monday that the US-Israeli war on Iran could be over "very soon", though not within the coming week.

The US-Israeli war on Iran threatens global energy

South China Morning PostSouth China Morning Post

Analysts warn of spillover to global energy markets.

Image from South China Morning Post
South China Morning PostSouth China Morning Post

Asia's energy exposure

The most exposed Asian economies — including South Korea and Japan — are heavily dependent on the Middle East for about 50 per cent of their energy imports, and some are moving to cushion themselves from turbulence.

China, Japan and South Korea have all taken steps to reduce impact of supply shortages.

Image from South China Morning Post
South China Morning PostSouth China Morning Post

China's policy response

China, the world’s second-largest oil consumer, has announced its sharpest rise in retail petrol and diesel prices since 2022.

The US-Israeli war on Iran threatens global energy

South China Morning PostSouth China Morning Post

China ordered state-owned oil majors to secure stable supplies of refined products and comply with official price controls.

Japan and South Korea steps

Japan and South Korea are also preparing defensive measures.

With oil reserves covering 254 days, Tokyo had instructed national storage sites to prepare for a possible release, local news agency Kyodo News reported on Sunday.

Image from South China Morning Post
South China Morning PostSouth China Morning Post

Tokyo previously released oil during the Gulf war in the early 1990s and again following the earthquake and tsunami in northeast Japan in 2011, according to the report.

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