IMF: US war on Iran could trigger “global, yet asymmetric” shock

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that a war by the United States and Israel against Iran could trigger a global and asymmetric economic shock, Bloomberg reports, citing a statement from the fund.

According to the IMF, countries in Africa and Asia that depend on oil imports are particularly vulnerable. Even now, they are facing difficulties accessing resources, even at inflated prices.

Experts note that the ultimate impact of the crisis will depend on its duration. A scenario of an intermediate state is possible, in which tensions persist, energy prices remain high, and inflation can only be partially contained.

The fund emphasizes that the problem goes beyond energy. Rising food and fertiliser prices affect regions from the Middle East to Latin America. For low-income countries, this becomes not only an economic but also a socio-political threat.

“[...] any spike in fertilizer and food prices not just an economic problem but a socio-political one, especially where fiscal resources to cushion the blow are limited,” the IMF stressed.