The head of BlackRock has warned that a sustained surge in oil prices driven by tensions involving Iran could trigger a severe global economic downturn.

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Larry Fink said that if geopolitical tensions persist and oil prices remain elevated, the consequences for the global economy could be significant.

Energy Prices Seen as Key Risk

“If Iran remains a threat” and oil prices stay high, he said, the impact would be far-reaching. He outlined a scenario in which crude prices could remain above $100 a barrel for an extended period, potentially reaching $150.

Such levels, he warned, would likely result in “a probably stark and steep recession”.

However, Fink also pointed to an alternative outcome, suggesting that if the conflict were resolved and Iran re-integrated into the international community, energy prices could fall back below pre-war levels.

Market Volatility and Energy Strategy

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has led to sharp fluctuations in global financial markets, as investors attempt to assess the long-term impact on energy supply and costs.

Fink said countries must adopt a pragmatic approach to energy policy, balancing different sources to ensure stable and affordable supply. He stressed that access to low-cost energy is essential for economic growth and improving living standards.

His comments come as some industry groups have called for increased domestic oil and gas production to reduce reliance on imports during periods of geopolitical instability.

No AI Investment Bubble

Despite concerns over heavy investment in artificial intelligence, Fink rejected suggestions that the sector is experiencing a speculative bubble.

“I do not believe we have a bubble at all,” he said, while acknowledging that some individual projects may fail.

He described a global race for technological leadership and argued that continued investment is essential, particularly in the face of competition from other major economies.

BlackRock has been involved in major deals in the sector, including investments in large-scale data centre infrastructure.

Energy Constraints and Workforce Shifts

Fink identified energy costs as a major constraint on the expansion of AI, particularly in the United States and Europe. He warned that insufficient investment in affordable power generation could hinder technological progress.

At the same time, he suggested that AI would reshape the labour market, creating increased demand for skilled trades such as electricians, welders and plumbers.

He argued that too many people have been encouraged to pursue university education at the expense of vocational training, calling for a rebalancing of priorities as economies evolve.

Broader Economic Outlook

With energy prices closely tied to geopolitical developments, Fink said the direction of the global economy will largely depend on how the current conflict unfolds.

A prolonged period of high oil prices, he indicated, would not only strain households and businesses but could also tip the world into recession.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 25 March 2026

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When BlackRock explain to me why they are having a "Liquidity" crisis and limiting the amount of funds you can take out, then I will listen to these bastards. They are evil people and Jerome Powell is in bed with them. Ignore anything they say at this moment.

I think they're not going far enough in their warnings, and a sustained war in the Middle East could push the world into a depression, and literally break the economies of the world, causing severe unemployment, massive loss of small businesses, and a total collapse of the financial and stock markets.

This war was unnecessary, it was a war of choice, it was poorly planned, it happened at the wrong time, and the repercussions should have been expected but weren't, because the planners are of such low levels of intelligence that they couldn't foresee anything.

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I think they're not going far enough in their warnings, and a sustained war in the Middle East could push the world into a depression, and literally break the economies of the world, causing severe unemployment, massive loss of small businesses, and a total collapse of the financial and stock markets.

This war was unnecessary, it was a war of choice, it was poorly planned, it happened at the wrong time, and the repercussions should have been expected but weren't, because the planners are of such low levels of intelligence that they couldn't foresee anything.

That is just what they want . The great RESET.

6 minutes ago, FlorC said:

That is just what they want . The great RESET.

I'm beginning to think you are right, very few alternative arguments make any sense. And Trump would be the perfect stooge to use, to bring the world to its knees.

12 hours ago, Taboo2 said:

When BlackRock explain to me why they are having a "Liquidity" crisis and limiting the amount of funds you can take out, then I will listen to these bastards. They are evil people and Jerome Powell is in bed with them. Ignore anything they say at this moment.

Blackrock, Blackstone, Morgan Stanley: their Private Credit Funds are what is involved. The explanation of the built-in dangers of private credit can be found here:

https://europeanbusinessmagazine.com/business/blackrock-just-told-investors-they-cant-have-their-money-back-and-the-entire-private-credit-industry-is-shaking/

IMHO, the global economy never fully recovered from the Great Recession of 2008, which was a essentially a liquidity crisis resulting from the popping of a credit bubble that fuelled over-investment in non-productive assets.

[defining "non-productive assets" as those that produce no returns nor prospective future returns commensurate with the level of investment, i.e. speculation on appreciation of capital irrespective of potential profits. A form of Ponzi scheme, fueled by enthusiasm rather than rationality].

The sub-prime mortgage crisis was a private credit crisis.

The U.S. Government successfully mastered the crisis, creating liquidity by 'printing money out of thin air', to save the Too-Big-To-Fail Banks and the rest of the financial system.

But it then continued in the same manner, way beyond what was required. To produce yet another 'bubble', where excess liauidity once again gave rise to nominal fiat-currency values far in excess of real value.

It was claimed that this money printing would lead to runaway inflation, but official statistics (doctored as they are) did not show this. For a simple reason: government largesse was distributed to the big commercial banks, who in turn passed it on, at very low interest rates, to their wealthiest clients. Who had little need for extra offerings from Main Street. They invested it instead on Wall Street and in real estate. Which is where prices inflated. The richest grew richer, the rest of society was left to wallow.

To cut a long story short, because I wish to turn in, and few if any will have read this far: we are likely on the verge of another mega-recession, but on a far greater scale than the last, and without the tools that existed before. It could be the end of the global economic system as we know it. But rest assured that a portion of the "0.1%", or whatever one likes to call them, are planning to come out on top once again. More definitively this time.

7 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I'm beginning to think you are right, very few alternative arguments make any sense. And Trump would be the perfect stooge to use, to bring the world to its knees.

Hes being used to make otherwise rational people fill themselves with hate towards a system thats been totally corrupted for a long long time.

Deep state and all right.

8 minutes ago, ericbj said:

IMHO, the global economy never fully recovered from the Great Recession of 2008, which was a essentially a liquidity crisis resulting from the popping of a credit bubble that fuelled over-investment in non-productive assets.

[defining "non-productive assets" as those that produce no returns nor prospective future returns commensurate with the level of investment, i.e. speculation on appreciation of capital irrespective of potential profits. A form of Ponzi scheme, fueled by enthusiasm rather than rationality].

The sub-prime mortgage crisis was a private credit crisis.

The U.S. Government successfully mastered the crisis, creating liquidity by 'printing money out of thin air', to save the Too-Big-To-Fail Banks and the rest of the financial system.

But it then continued in the same manner, way beyond what was required. To produce yet another 'bubble', where excess liauidity once again gave rise to nominal fiat-currency values far in excess of real value.

It was claimed that this money printing would lead to runaway inflation, but official statistics (doctored as they are) did not show this. For a simple reason: government largesse was distributed to the big commercial banks, who in turn passed it on, at very low interest rates, to their wealthiest clients. Who had little need for extra offerings from Main Street. They invested it instead on Wall Street and in real estate. Which is where prices inflated. The richest grew richer, the rest of society was left to wallow.

To cut a long story short, because I wish to turn in, and few if any will have read this far: we are likely on the verge of another mega-recession, but on a far greater scale than the last, and without the tools that existed before. It could be the end of the global economic system as we know it. But rest assured that a portion of the "0.1%", or whatever one likes to call them, are planning to come out on top once again. More definitively this time.

All they did was kick the can down the road in 08. The world is in more debt that ever with no sign of turning it around.

Can't be a coincidence.

On 3/26/2026 at 9:53 PM, ericbj said:

Blackrock, Blackstone, Morgan Stanley: their Private Credit Funds are what is involved. The explanation of the built-in dangers of private credit can be found here:

https://europeanbusinessmagazine.com/business/blackrock-just-told-investors-they-cant-have-their-money-back-and-the-entire-private-credit-industry-is-shaking/

Looming crisis ?

https://www.worldaffairsincontext.com/p/the-3-trillion-time-bomb-the-private

On 3/28/2026 at 11:29 AM, ericbj said:

Looming crisis ?

https://www.worldaffairsincontext.com/p/the-3-trillion-time-bomb-the-private

Is a Private Credit crisis really of no consequence for the broader economy ???

The European Banking System Just Did Something VERY Strange

https://youtu.be/1HcW3mfuggs

Larry Fink - one of the most evil men on earth. Blackrock be thy name.

Blackrock is a major purveyor of Private Credit, which risks pulling down the global economy. Of course they try to shift the blame.

More here about potential repercussions:

If to maybe. Not much to worry about.

On 3/25/2026 at 7:59 PM, spidermike007 said:

I think they're not going far enough in their warnings, and a sustained war in the Middle East could push the world into a depression, and literally break the economies of the world, causing severe unemployment, massive loss of small businesses, and a total collapse of the financial and stock markets.

And...a new economy is born from the ashes like a Phoenix...CBDCs.