The latest flare-up of tensions over the Strait of Hormuz is threatening fresh global supply disruptions way beyond oil and gas. The Middle East is not only home to top OPEC nations, but also a leading producer of raw materials that play a crucial role in everything from the chips that power artificial intelligence to food staples in the supermarket.

Sulfur is a key feedstock in the production of phosphate fertilizer, and any disruption to shipping through the strait could cascade into agricultural and technology supply chains. The region's role as a critical chokepoint for diverse commodities underscores the broader economic risks of geopolitical instability.

Reported by Mark Burton, Eleanor Thornber, and Martin Alfonsin Larsen on July 14, 2026, the analysis highlights how a conflict with Iran could reverberate across multiple sectors, from energy to semiconductors to food security, making the strait a focal point for global commodity markets.