Iran's Oil Crisis Offers Trump Energy Opportunity

Global energy markets caught in crosshairs of Operation Epic Fury

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:19pm

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Iran's attacks on oil and gas facilities across the Persian Gulf region have disrupted global energy markets, causing prices to spike. This crisis presents opportunities for the U.S. to leverage its energy dominance, including using the threat of attacks on Iranian infrastructure as a bargaining chip, maximizing domestic LNG production and exports, and advancing alternative shipping corridors that bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

Why it matters

Iran's dependence on oil and gas revenue makes its energy infrastructure a critical vulnerability that the U.S. can exploit. Prolonged disruptions to Gulf energy shipments could also hit Asian markets hard, opening the door for the U.S. to assert its leadership in global energy supply.

The details

Since the start of Operation Epic Fury, Iran has launched hundreds of strikes against oil and gas facilities across the Persian Gulf, disrupting production in Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. This has caused global energy prices to spike, with gas prices in Europe rising up to 50% and U.S. gas prices hovering around $3.60 per gallon. More than 80% of Qatar's LNG exports go to Asia, so the suspension of their production could significantly impact those markets.

  • On March 2, Qatar's national energy company suspended LNG production.
  • On March 4, Qatar formally declared force majeure on LNG contracts.
  • On March 9, senior officials from Italy and India discussed strengthening investments in new infrastructure and secure trade routes through the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) project.

The players

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who can leverage the threat of U.S. attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure as a bargaining chip and promote American energy dominance.

National Energy Dominance Council

A council established by the Trump administration to 'expand all forms of reliable and affordable energy production'.

International Energy Agency

An intergovernmental organization that agreed on Wednesday to release a combined 400 million barrels of oil from their respective reserves to ease energy prices.

U.S. Development Finance Corporation

An agency that plans to offer naval escorts and maritime risk insurance as stopgap measures to address the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC)

A project launched in 2023 to connect India, Europe and the Middle East through an integrated rail and shipping corridor, offering an alternative shipping route that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.