Asia's manufacturing powerhouses are racing to secure alternative oil and gas supplies as the US-Israeli strikes on Iran threaten to choke the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of global oil flows. Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea have launched emergency measures to preserve stockpiles and coordinate supply chains, with officials warning of acute shortages.

Taiwan, the world's leading producer of advanced computer chips, announced plans for a mutual assistance framework with Japan and South Korea to buffer against gas shortages. The island relies on imports for over 90 percent of its fossil energy sources and has accelerated efforts to diversify away from Middle Eastern liquefied natural gas. Japan established a special government office to manage energy supply issues, while South Korea activated emergency protocols including expanded financing for crude purchases and potential release of strategic reserves.

China has ordered its largest refineries to halt most oil and gas product exports to prioritize domestic supply, while India claims sufficient stockpiles but faces pressure to turn to Russian crude if disruptions persist. Southeast Asian nations including Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia are also scrambling for alternatives, with Indonesia increasing US crude purchases and Pakistan considering conservation measures including work-from-home mandates. Australia, despite being an LNG exporter, faces its own domestic fuel crunch with just 25 days of diesel reserves.