In this episode of The Sound of Economics, host Rebecca Christie is joined by Bruegel’s Elina Ribakova, Simone Tagliapietra and Guntram Wolff to talk about the US and Israeli strikes on Iran. What happens to energy prices as military action intensifies and the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted? If this conflict is a net positive for Russia, what does it mean for the ongoing fighting in Ukraine? How can Europe rally its defence industrial base? How does this complicate trade and political relations with China? Even if oil and gas prices rise only temporarily, this conflict will cause lasting shocks and force a new reckoning with the European Union’s energy dependence.
Theme
Macroeconomic policy and governance
Energy and climate policy
Keyword
security
energy
Country
Iran
Language
English
First Glance
How will the Iran conflict hit European energy markets?
Policymakers should plan for a potentially prolonged standoff in the Middle East, while doubling down – not backtracking – on the energy transition
Simone Tagliapietra 02 March 2026
energy
geopolitics
... security
climate change
trade policy