New Crisis Emerges Due to War in Iran, the Whole World Becomes a Victim

Jakarta - A new crisis has emerged amid the brutal war started by the United States and Israel against Iran. It is not just oil supplies that are disrupted; helium supplies are also stalled. This impacts the global technology supply chain giants. As context, helium is used in several key stages of chip production, including cooling systems, leak detection, and precision manufacturing processes. Its price has surged sharply since the Middle East war began on 28 February 2026. Helium supplies, a byproduct of natural gas processing, are highly geographically concentrated, with Qatar producing nearly a third of the world’s supply, according to data from the US Geological Survey. “Helium scarcity is a very big concern,” said Cameron Johnson, senior partner at supply chain consultancy Tidal Wave Solutions, at Semicon China in Shanghai, one of the industry’s largest annual gatherings, quoted from Reuters on Friday (27/3/2026). He said companies have few options to respond to this new crisis. Besides slowing production and prioritising essential products, many are hoping the war ends soon. Prolonged helium shortages could force production cuts and have widespread impacts across various industries, from electronics to automotive, according to Johnson. “Due to the shortage, companies may start slowing production or eventually stop it, so they cannot produce chips,” he said. “If that happens, you will see impacts on things like electronics, cars, even smartphones,” he added. Jerry Zhang, head of sales for the China branch of Swiss semiconductor components company VAT, said the Middle East conflict has tightened helium supplies and is already affecting production at his company and others. He added that transportation delays are exacerbating the impact. The company is seeking alternative sources, including from the United States. These disruptions also extend to the broader supply chain linked to the region. Zhou Limin from MRSI Mycronic unit said some raw materials sourced from Israel are delayed, extending delivery times and impacting customers due to longer supplier wait times. “There is clearly a short-term impact, and it is already affecting us,” said Zhou.