Letters | Far-reaching effects of the war on Iran

The Iran/U.S. war is not only affecting the Gulf region but is having far-reaching repercussions around the world. Iran has blockaded the Gulf of Hormuz in retaliation for the attack on it by the U.S.

and Israel, which effectively cuts off a fifth of the world’s crude oil supply. Oil prices have skyrocketed and nations are scrambling to get enough supplies to keep their economies going. Motorists are badly affected as they have to dig deep into their pockets to fill their petrol and diesel tanks.

Fortunately many newer model cars are very fuel efficient, unlike the fuel guzzlers of yesteryear. Some can run on a sip of fuel. Jet fuel is in short supply, forcing airlines to merge with other carriers.

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Some have even been forced to cancel flights, frustrating and inconveniencing millions of passengers. Airlines have cancelled 13 000 flights, which amounts to two million seats. But the Iran war is not gloom and doom for all.

Oil rich countries, especially Russia and the U.S., are benefiting from the war. It is boom time for their oil industries. Sanction-hit Russia was in dire straits to fund its war in Ukraine.

But now the higher oil prices have brought much relief to its depleted state coffers and it can escalate its war in Ukraine. As for the U.S., its oil exports are booming. President Donald Trump’s inaugural address, he said to the oil companies, “drill, baby, drill!”.

They are now reaping the rewards as the U.S. takes advantage of the global oil shortage. Also thriving in these volatile times is the arms industry which is churning out the killing machines which have claimed so many lives in the Middle East, Sudan and Ukraine.

So there you have Russia and the U.S. smiling while death and destruction reign in the Middle East.

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