Facing Iran's War Impact, Australia Secures Energy Supplies from Southeast Asia

The Australian government is accelerating energy diplomacy in Southeast Asia amid significant pressures on the global energy market due to the conflict in the Middle East, particularly the impact of the Strait of Hormuz closure. A series of visits by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and other regional partners forms part of the strategy to secure fuel and fertiliser supplies. This move comes as global supply chain disruptions intensify, with energy distribution hampered and commodity prices surging. “We are truly facing a post-norm era. The developments are unexpected and continue to haunt us because we are unable to plan a fair and honest agenda for the future,” said Anwar, quoted from the official website of the Australian Prime Minister’s Office on Friday (17/4/2026). He emphasised that production and supply chain disruptions pose major challenges for many countries. Even, according to him, the world now looks very different compared to a few months ago. “The Strait of Hormuz has been practically closed for nearly seven weeks. The global energy market is under heavy pressure. Supply chains are disrupted, and the consequences are hitting the seven seas,” Anwar stated. During Albanese’s visit to Malaysia, Australia and Malaysia agreed to strengthen energy supply chain resilience amid the Iran conflict’s impact on global markets. The two countries affirmed the importance of regional cooperation to maintain supply stability. Albanese stated that this cooperation is part of efforts to ensure secure energy supplies amid global uncertainties. This aligns with Australia’s increasingly active approach to building regional partnerships, particularly with Southeast Asian countries that play a strategic role in energy supply chains. In addition to diplomatic cooperation, Australia is taking concrete steps by securing supplies of energy and key commodities. The Australian government has purchased around 100 million litres of diesel to bolster national reserves amid the global energy crisis. The agreement between Incitec Pivot Fertilisers and PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) covers about 20 percent of the remaining fertiliser needs for the current planting season. Albanese emphasised the importance of fertiliser supplies for food security.