The Iran war has bent the world's metals industry out of shape (opens original article in a new tab)

The Gulf war has significantly disrupted the global metals industry, affecting production, trade, and critical inputs like sulphur, with long-term implications for key sectors such as renewable energy and electric vehicles.

• The Gulf war has disrupted global metals markets by blocking trade, shutting down production, damaging facilities, and causing shortages of critical inputs like sulphur.
• Aluminium, copper, nickel, and lithium are particularly affected, impacting renewable energy, electric vehicles, and military technologies.
• The Gulf's role as a key metals producer has highlighted supply chain vulnerabilities, prompting calls for alternative logistics and deeper global integration.