Regional Voices: Everyday people caught in the geopolitics of energy.
The scent of diesel hangs heavy in the air around the port of Jebel Ali in Dubai. Old Man Hassan, a lorry driver for over thirty years, wipes sweat from his brow as he queues for fuel. He’s been waiting for hours. “It used to be, you fill up and go. Now? Now it’s a worry. Each fill-up feels like a loss. How much more will it cost next week? How much less will I take home?” He gestures to a faded photograph taped to his dashboard – his grandchildren. “This is for them. But how can I provide if the price of everything keeps climbing?” The rising cost of diesel isn’t just an economic issue here; it’s a tightening knot of anxiety for families across the region.
Local Perspective
Across the Gulf and into Jordan, Lebanon and even Egypt, the talk is the same. People are adjusting, tightening belts, and bracing for winter. In Amman, shopkeepers are already talking about increasing prices, fearing the knock-on effect of higher transportation costs. In Beirut, where fuel scarcity is a recurring nightmare, queues at petrol stations are becoming more frequent, sparking frustrations and fears of a return to the black market. “We are caught in the middle,” says Fatima, a teacher in Cairo, “between conflicts we didn’t start and decisions made far away. We just want to live our lives.” There’s a weary resignation, a sense of powerlessness that fuels a deep unease. The Iran war, and now this potential disruption to oil supplies, feels like another weight on already strained shoulders.
The Bigger Picture
The International Energy Agency’s emergency meeting, prompted by soaring diesel prices and fuelled by the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, underscores the interconnectedness of global energy markets and regional instability. The proposed release of oil and diesel stocks is, in part, a response to pressure from the US – a pressure highlighting the shifting dynamics of energy policy and geopolitical influence. The situation highlights how events in Iran, even those confined to conflict zones, reverberate far beyond its borders. Disruptions to Iranian oil exports directly impact global supply, and the resulting price hikes are acutely felt in countries heavily reliant on imported fuel, particularly those in the Middle East and North Africa.
A Note of Hope
Despite the anxieties, there’s a quiet resilience here. The sharing of information, community support networks, and a growing awareness of the need for diversification – from solar energy initiatives to calls for more sustainable transportation – are emerging. Old Man Hassan, despite his worries, spoke not just of hardship, but of neighbours helping neighbours to share costs and information. This shared struggle, paradoxically, might be forging stronger bonds, a reminder that even amidst geopolitical tensions, the human need for connection and mutual support endures.
Source: Al-Monitor, reporting by Kate Abnett, October 7, 2026.
