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GOVERNMENTS across Asia and beyond are introducing emergency energy measures as the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran disrupts global oil and gas supplies, triggering fuel shortages, rising prices and conservation policies in several countries.
The confrontation, now in its 11th day, has unsettled global energy markets amid continuing military strikes and instability across West Asia.
As uncertainty over supply intensifies, some governments have begun regulating energy consumption and prioritising essential sectors to prevent deeper shortages.
In India, authorities have moved to regulate the production and distribution of natural gas to ensure adequate supplies for priority sectors such as households and transport following disruptions to liquefied natural gas shipments caused by the conflict.
Members of parliament there have also voiced concern about shortages of liquefied petroleum gas, with hotels and restaurants in major cities including Mumbai reportedly forced to suspend operations due to the lack of cooking gas.
Elsewhere, governments have turned to price adjustments and austerity measures in response to the spike in global energy costs.
Egypt raised petrol and diesel prices by between 14 and 17 per cent, while Sri Lanka also increased domestic fuel prices, citing volatility in crude oil markets.
In Pakistan, authorities announced energy-saving measures including halving fuel allocations for government vehicles and implementing work-from-home arrangements for public and private sector employees. Schools are also set to close temporarily for two weeks as part of the fuel conservation effort.
Several Asian governments have adopted similar policies.
Thailand has instructed government agencies to implement remote working arrangements and suspend overseas travel in order to cut energy consumption, while Vietnam has encouraged remote work, greater use of public transport and other fuel-saving measures as authorities monitor the impact of the West Asia conflict on global energy markets.
While the economic consequences deepen, military hostilities across the region continue to escalate.
In southern Lebanon, four people were injured after Israeli air strikes struck several towns including Breykaah, Kfarsir and Deir Antar, destroying a residential building and triggering artillery shelling in nearby areas.
Inside Iran, nine hospitals have reportedly ceased operations following US–Israeli air strikes, while dozens of healthcare facilities and ambulances have been damaged since the conflict began.
Iran’s ambassador to Malaysia, Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi, said at least 2,000 people had been killed in Iran since 28 February, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and more than 150 female school students, while Tehran has pledged to continue defending its sovereignty.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its air defence systems had shot down three MQ-9 drones over the provinces of Bushehr and Tehran.
Heightened regional security concerns have prompted precautionary steps by several countries.
Iraq has extended the closure of its airspace for another 72 hours due to the deteriorating security situation, while Australia announced the deployment of an E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and air-to-air missiles to the Gulf region to help protect its citizens and support regional airspace security.
Air defence systems across the Gulf have also been activated. The United Arab Emirates reported intercepting missiles and drones launched from Iran, while Saudi Arabia said its defences destroyed one ballistic missile and two drones targeting its eastern region.
In Bahrain, authorities said one person was killed and several others injured after an Iranian strike hit a residential building in the capital, Manama.
The widening conflict has also triggered evacuation operations and humanitarian assistance.
China said more than 10,000 of its citizens had returned home from the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Saudi Arabia as part of coordinated evacuation efforts.
Singapore has dispatched an air force aircraft to Riyadh to repatriate its citizens, while Malaysia launched a mission using a chartered Malaysia Airlines aircraft to bring home around 200 Malaysians stranded across several West Asian countries.
Azerbaijan meanwhile sent nearly 30 tonnes of humanitarian aid, including food and medicines, to Iran to assist civilians affected by the ongoing conflict.
The United Nations has warned that attacks on oil refineries and other infrastructure could worsen environmental damage and public health risks, as more than 500,000 people are reported to have been displaced in Lebanon.
Despite the escalating hostilities, Asian stock markets staged a modest recovery after US President Donald Trump suggested that the confrontation with Iran might be nearing its end. Brent crude prices, which had earlier surged past US$100 a barrel, subsequently fell sharply following the remarks. - March 11, 2026
