La escalada del conflicto entre Irán, Estados Unidos e Israel ha llevado a Irán a ordenar el cierre del Estrecho de Ormuz, deteniendo el tráfico de petroleros y elevando los precios mundiales del petróleo por encima de los 80 dólares estadounidenses por barril. Los efectos se extienden a Europa, que ahora reconsidera los planes para poner fin a las importaciones de gas ruso, mientras que Indonesia impulsa la desescalada a través de la organización D-8 y asegura suministros estables de combustible.
El conflicto en Oriente Medio se intensificó desde el 28 de febrero de 2026, cuando Estados Unidos e Israel atacaron a Irán, lo que provocó una represalia de Teherán. La Guardia Revolucionaria de Irán ordenó el cierre del Estrecho de Ormuz a principios de esta semana, deteniendo el tráfico de petroleros que transportan alrededor del 20 por ciento del consumo mundial de petróleo. Un informe de la Marina británica señaló una gran explosión en un petrolero cerca de aguas iraquíes, con el capitán reportando un pequeño bote huyendo de la escena. West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices surged 8.51 percent to US$81.01 per barrel on March 6, 2026, the largest daily gain since May 2020. Brent crude rose 4.93 percent to US$85.41 per barrel. In the US, retail gasoline prices increased nearly 27 cents to an average of US$3.25 per gallon. US President Donald Trump stated he would take further actions, including political risk insurance and naval escorts for tankers. The Hormuz closure caused Qatar, the world's second-largest LNG exporter, to halt production since March 2, 2026. In Europe, natural gas prices jumped 75 percent this week, the highest in three years. Norwegian Energy Minister Terje Aasland said, «With the geopolitical situation we see now, I am sure the debate [about resuming Russian natural gas imports] will be revived. Like it or not.» The European Union, which sources 5-15 percent of its gas from the Middle East, had agreed in February 2026 to ban Russian gas imports by the end of 2027 but now faces new pressures. Goldman Sachs estimates a one-month closure could raise European gas prices by up to 130 percent. As D-8 chair, Indonesia continues pushing for de-escalation to prevent the conflict from widening. Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang stated, «As D-8 Chair, Indonesia also continues to emphasize the importance of de-escalation and urges all parties to exercise restraint.» Iranian Ambassador to Indonesia Mohammad Boroujerdi hopes the D-8 will condemn the US and Israeli attacks. Iran's D-8 membership remains unaffected, and preparations for the D-8 Summit in Jakarta in April 2026 are proceeding. In Indonesia, PT Pertamina Patra Niaga assures stable fuel supplies for Ramadan and Idul Fitri, with stocks around 21 days continuously replenished. Corporate Secretary Roberth MV. Dumatubun emphasized supply diversification and urged the public to avoid panic buying. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources also guarantees no fuel price increases and controlled stocks amid geopolitical dynamics.
