Gita Gopinath is in the news as IMF chief economist shaping policy on global energy shocks and macro risks. Indian‑American economist, IMF Chief Economist since 2019.
Since late February 2026, the US-Israel war on Iran has severely damaged Persian Gulf energy infrastructure, including Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG terminal. Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on oil and gas facilities have caused the largest global oil supply disruption ever, pushing prices above $100 a barrel and threatening long-term economic impacts worldwide.
Despite claims of energy independence, the US faces global oil market impacts from Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Prices are rising, and supply chains are strained, showing the interconnected nature of global energy markets and the limits of US self-sufficiency.