General · 21 March 2026
Iran Strikes Cut Qatar Helium Output, Doubling Prices
Chipmakers and hospitals worldwide face supply disruption as helium spot prices have doubled after Iranian attacks on Qatar's Ras Laffan facility caused extensive damage needing years of repair. QatarEnergy halted all production on 2 March, cutting annual helium exports by 14%. Around 200 specialised helium containers worth $1 million each remain stranded in the Middle East, deepening the shortage.
Reported by The Associated Press · How we write briefs