Qatar warns: The full impact of a war with Iran will arrive in one or two months.

Qatari Finance Minister Al-Khuwari warned at the IMF Spring Meetings that a war with Iran would have a greater economic impact in the coming months if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and trade restrictions continue. He stated that the current energy price surge is just "the tip of the iceberg," and that "the full impact will become apparent in a month or two, bringing a huge economic shock." The attack on Qatar's Ras Raffarin LNG facility in March, which supplies nearly one-fifth of the world's liquefied natural gas exports, has already triggered global gas shortages. Al-Khuwari said it would take about five years to restore exports, adding that helium exports, used in chip manufacturing, are also a concern. He pointed out that Qatar supplies about 30% of the world's helium. He also described the risk scenarios of energy shortages escalating into "countries unable to light up" and fertilizer shortages leading to a food crisis. (Jinshi)