Asia scrambles to confront energy crisis unleashed by Iran war – with no end in sight

Motorcyclists wait behind a rope for their turn to get fuel at a pump in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Sunday. The South Asian country has deployed the military to major oil depots and police around fuel stations. Photograph: Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP

Donald Trump has scrambled in recent days to reassure the world that the economic impact of his war on Iran can be contained.

Sure, one of the most important waterways in global trade has, in effect, been shut for almost two weeks – but it might reopen before long. In the meantime, US oil-related sanctions on “some countries” will be lifted. And besides, the entire conflict could be over soon.