A growing fuel shock triggered by the Iran war could soon ground flights around the world, an energy expert has warned — a prediction that stunned a CNN host live on air. Appearing on CNN News Central, former US energy adviser Amos Hochstein said some airports could run out of jet fuel within a week as the closure of key shipping lanes strangles global energy flows. Host Kate Bolduan stopped him mid-interview to confirm the warning: “Full stop?” she asked. “Full stop,” Hochstein replied. Hormuz blockade sends shock through global supply The crisis began when Iran shut down the vital Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for joint US-Israeli military strikes. Roughly a fifth of the world’s oil normally passes through the narrow shipping corridor. With the route effectively blocked, more than 1,000 ships are reportedly stranded in the Persian Gulf, triggering cascading disruptions across the energy market. Fuel reserves have cushioned the immediate impact — but that buffer is rapidly eroding. The domino effect hitting airlines Jet fuel shortages could soon ripple through global aviation networks. According to Hochstein, several airports are already restricting departures to preserve fuel supplies. If shipments remain blocked, some hubs could simply run dry in the coming days. For travellers, the consequences may be immediate: fewer flights, soaring ticket prices and potential cancellations during the peak spring and summer travel season. Shipping chokepoints deepen the crisis The situation has worsened as Iran-aligned Houthi forces threaten vessels in another key maritime corridor, the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Together, the two disruptions have created a bottleneck for global shipping. Cargo vessels carrying oil, chemicals and consumer goods are taking longer routes — raising costs and slowing deliveries worldwide. Every additional day of delay pushes prices higher. Fuel shock spreads from Asia to the West Asia felt the first impact because of its heavy reliance on Middle Eastern energy. Now the shockwave is moving westward. In Europe, jet fuel prices have reportedly doubled within a month, while diesel costs are climbing across the United States. The pressure is amplified by domestic vulnerabilities. A recent accident at a Valero Energy refinery in Texas temporarily cut refining capacity, reducing the margin for error in an already strained system. The result is a fragile global supply chain — one accident, one blockade, or one delay away from a full-scale fuel crisis. CNN host startled by expert's prediction about Iran war's impact on travel
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