Myanmar’s military is facing a growing fuel crisis after its secret imports of Iranian jet fuel came to an abrupt halt. According to a Monday report by Japan-based Nikkei Asia, the junta had quietly brought in three shipments of jet fuel before tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel escalated in December.

The shipments arrived at the Thilawa port near Yangon, handled at Myanmar Oil Terminal, a facility previously run by Puma Energy. To conceal the fuel’s origin, the cargo arrived aboard the MV Reef, flagged as carrying Iraqi fuel. Each delivery contained roughly 18,000 tons, enough to sustain Myanmar’s air operations for four to five months, energy sector insiders said.

But the recent geopolitical upheaval in the Middle East has cut off this lifeline. Instability in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial fuel route, has further disrupted supply, leaving Myanmar scrambling.

On March 7, authorities rolled out fuel rationing and restricted vehicle movement based on odd–even license plate numbers. Petrol prices have surged, signaling the start of a potential broader economic strain.

Analysts warn that the shortage could ripple across Myanmar’s fragile economy, constraining the military’s ability to purchase arms and maintain operations, while also driving up costs for ordinary citizens already burdened by inflation and instability.

Myanmar’s fuel crunch underscores how regional conflicts can have far-reaching consequences for countries dependent on foreign energy imports, especially under sanctions and political isolation.

BOB Post