World facing ‘biggest’ energy security threat in history, International Energy Agency chief says

The world is facing the “biggest energy security threat in history,” according to the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), as escalating conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global oil and gas supplies.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol warned that the ongoing crisis—largely driven by tensions involving Iran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz—has triggered an unprecedented shock to global energy markets. He noted that the scale of supply losses now exceeds previous crises, including the oil shocks of the 1970s and the disruption caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

According to the IEA, the conflict has significantly reduced the flow of oil and gas through critical routes, with millions of barrels per day of supply affected. The Strait of Hormuz alone typically carries around 20% of global oil shipments, making any disruption a major threat to global energy stability.

Birol emphasized that the crisis is not limited to fuel shortages but is also impacting broader supply chains, including fertilizers and petrochemicals, raising concerns about inflation and economic slowdown worldwide. He warned that no country will remain unaffected if the situation continues to deteriorate.

The IEA has already taken emergency measures, including releasing hundreds of millions of barrels from strategic reserves, but officials caution that such steps provide only temporary relief. A lasting solution, they say, depends on restoring stability in key energy transit routes and resolving the underlying geopolitical tensions.

Analysts say the crisis highlights the fragility of the global energy system, with increasing dependence on a few critical chokepoints and rising geopolitical risks. Without swift de-escalation, they warn, the world could face prolonged energy shortages, higher prices, and deeper economic uncertainty.