Rania al‑Mashat, executive secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission
for Western Asia (ESCWA), said a US‑Iran war cost Arab economies roughly $150
bln in its first month, about 4% of regional GDP. She warned threats to
navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al‑Mandeb are affecting trade,
economic stability and access to essential goods; about 25% of seaborne oil
trade and 19% of LNG trade transit the Strait of Hormuz. Gulf states are also
major exporters of ammonia, fertilizer, sulfur and aluminum. Al‑Mashat said the
conflict could delay investment and economic diversification across the Arab
world and called for measures to prevent escalation, protect freedom of
navigation and strengthen regional preparedness for further disruptions to
supplies and services.
