Iran

Iran War Leaves Helium Supply Chains Up in the Air

About 30 percent of the world's helium supply depends on the Strait of Hormuz. Its closure means higher prices for tech manufacturing and advanced medical care.

Eric Boehm | 3.16.2026 11:05 AM

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(Illustration: Surasak Petchang/Stepan Popov/Dreamstime)

With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed due to the ongoing war with Iran, oil prices have surged to more than $100 per barrel. But oil is not the only crucial commodity facing a supply chain crunch.

About a third of the world's commercial helium supply comes from Qatar, where the gas is produced as a by-product of natural gas extraction. Getting that helium to the global market requires shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and its closure is putting an upward pressure on prices.

"The spot price for helium has moved up pretty dramatically. I would say 70 [percent] to 100 percent in a week," says Phil Kornbluth,........

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