Domino Effect of the Hormuz Blockade: US Pledges to Seize Oil, EU Prepares Rationing, and Diesel Imports Become Unsustainable — NRG-IA

Conflict Escalation and Washington's Response The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz amid the war in Iran has triggered a global energy crisis with immediate ramifications across three continents. Facing mounting pressure for a swift resolution to the conflict paralyzing hydrocarbon transit, US President Donald Trump stated on Friday that the United States could intervene decisively. He claimed the US can open the strait "in a little more time," while also suggesting taking the region's oil to "make a fortune," according to international agencies cited by Economica.net . To support a potential reconfiguration of military strategy and ensure the projection force necessary for such operations, the Washington administration has asked Congress for a historic 42% increase in the defense budget for the 2027 fiscal year (October 2026 - September 2027). This colossal increase is expected to be partially offset by 10% cuts in non-defense budgetary sectors. The Physical Shock: Shortages in Asia and Rationing Warnings in the EU While strategic plans and international negotiations are underway, the physical impact of the blockade is already a harsh reality for consumer markets. In India, the world's most populous nation, kitchens are closing due to a severe nationwide shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). According to data published by Profit.ro , India imports 54% of its LPG needs through the Strait of Hormuz, and the sudden disruption of flows has led to massive waiting lines just to obtain a single gas cylinder. On the European continent, authorities are preparing for a long-term crisis scenario. The European Commissioner for Energy warned on Friday that the European Union is considering extreme measures, including fuel rationing and releasing additional volumes from strategic oil reserves, to mitigate the effects of a prolonged energy shock generated by tensions in the Middle East, notes e-nergia . Impact on Romania: Pump Anomalies and Unsustainable Import Costs Locally, the fuel market is experiencing a period of volatility and commercial anomalies. Consumers are currently benefiting from punctual price drops—with the Petromidia refinery gradually resuming activity and pushing gasoline prices down towards 8.5 lei/liter. Moreover, a major surprise occurred in Rompetrol stations, where premium diesel became massively cheaper, dropping well below 10 lei/liter and, paradoxically, below the price of standard diesel. However, the fundamentals of the import market contradict this apparent calm. International diesel quotations exploded on Thursday by $198, reaching $1,617 per ton. Tax consultant Gabriel Biriș warned, as quoted by Profit.ro , that this level equates to a price of 10.73 lei/liter directly in the port, far exceeding the pump prices currently charged in Romania. Under these conditions of escalating logistical and acquisition costs, Biriș describes any potential state intentions to keep prices low through fiscal measures or caps as "suicidal," highlighting the economic impossibility of sustaining such an approach in the medium term. This article was generated with the assistance of Aurora AI and editorially verified.