What is force majeure and why did some Gulf states invoke it during the war between Iran, the United States, and Israel?
As the conflict in the Middle East between Iran, the United States and Israel intensifies, a legal term rarely discussed outside corporate boardrooms has suddenly made headlines: force majeure.
Several Gulf energy producers, including Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, have resorted to force majeure on oil and gas exports after the attacks, shipping disruption and infrastructure risks caused by the ongoing war.What exactly does force majeure mean? Why do countries use it now and what is its importance for global energy markets? Read on as we bring you a simple analysis of the concept and its global implications.
What does the phrase “force majeure” actually mean during the war between Iran, the United States and Israel?
Force majeure is a legal clause used in contracts that allows a company or government to suspend or cancel its obligations when extraordinary events make it impossible to fulfill them.
This phrase comes from French and literally means “superior strength.” It refers to events beyond anyone’s control, such as wars, natural disasters, government actions, or major damage to infrastructure.
When force majeure is triggered, a company can temporarily halt deliveries or operations without being penalized for breach of contract. In the energy sector, this typically means halting shipments of oil, gas or other commodities when conflicts, attacks or logistical breakdowns make exports unsafe or impossible.
Why do the Gulf states invoke force majeure during the war between Iran, the United States, and Israel?
The latest statements are directly related to the regional war that broke out after the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026. Since then, the conflict has spread across the Gulf, with missile strikes, drone strikes and maritime tensions affecting energy infrastructure and shipping routes.Many Gulf producers have resorted to force majeure for the following reasons:
- Shipping methods through
Strait of Hormuz It broke down - Energy facilities were targeted
- Security risks make exports unpredictable
Countries including Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait declared a state of force majeure on energy shipments after these disturbances.
The Strait of Hormuz is particularly important because nearly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass through it, making any disruption there a source of global economic concern.
Qatar’s gas shutdown amid the war between Iran, the United States and Israel has sparked global concern
One of the biggest shocks came when Qatar halted natural gas production and declared force majeure on contracts with buyers after attacks on energy infrastructure early in the conflict. Qatar is the world’s second-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, meaning an interruption in its supply would immediately impact global energy markets.
Following the closure, many international companies that purchase Qatari gas also declared force majeure on their deliveries to customers. This cascading effect shows how quickly supply disruptions can spread across global power grids.
The attack on the Bahrain refinery amid the war between Iran, the United States, and Israel exacerbated the crisis
Another major reason came when Bahrain’s state oil company declared force majeure after an Iranian strike hit its main refinery complex. The attack disrupted oil operations and made it impossible for the company to fulfill export commitments.
Energy analysts say such incidents highlight how vulnerable the Gulf’s energy infrastructure is during a regional conflict. Since the Gulf region provides a large share of the world’s oil, temporary disruptions could send shockwaves through markets.
Domino effect of force majeure on global energy markets amid war between Iran, the US and Israel
Force majeure declarations often create a domino effect across supply chains. When producers stop shipments, buyers scramble to find alternative suppliers, shipping schedules collapse and prices rise due to uncertainty.During the current crisis, oil prices rose to more than $100 per barrel amid fears of supply shortages and instability in the Gulf region. Energy companies around the world are now reevaluating contracts, inventories and shipping methods. Some countries have even begun preparing emergency reserves in case the unrest continues.
Why does the Strait of Hormuz matter in the war between Iran, the United States, and Israel?
One of the main reasons behind the crisis is the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important sea lanes in the world. The narrow waterway connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and is used by oil and gas tankers from countries including:
- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Qatar
- Kuwait
- United Arab Emirates
- Iraq
Since such a large share of global energy flows through this route, any threat to it could have immediate global consequences.
In the current conflict, attacks and security threats around the Strait have forced companies to rethink shipping routes and export schedules.
Could more countries declare force majeure amid the war between Iran, the US and Israel?
Energy experts warn that if the war escalates further, more producers may suspend exports. Officials in Qatar have already warned that prolonged disruptions could prompt other Gulf energy producers to declare force majeure as well.If that happens, the world could face a major oil and natural gas supply shock.
Such a scenario would likely push fuel prices higher, increase inflation in importing countries, and intensify economic uncertainty around the world.
Why has this legal term, force majeure, suddenly become of global importance amid the war between Iran, the United States, and Israel?
Although force majeure is a legal concept usually buried deep in contracts, the current conflict has turned it into a major factor shaping global energy markets. When countries invoke it, they are essentially admitting that war or unusual events have made normal trade impossible.For consumers, the impact may ultimately manifest in the form of higher fuel prices, higher electricity costs and/or supply shortages in energy-dependent industries. The sudden rise in force majeure declarations across the Gulf highlights how quickly geopolitical crises can disrupt the global economy.What began as a regional conflict is now affecting energy supply chains, commodity markets and international trade. Whether the situation stabilizes or spreads further will determine how long the world will continue to hear this once obscure legal term dominate global news headlines.