The escalation of military confrontation between the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other is jeopardizing deliveries of critical materials for microelectronics. Reuters reports that South Korean manufacturers, which supply about two‑thirds of the global chip market, have voiced concerns about possible shortages of inert gases and rare metals. The main risks stem from supplies via Qatar, which has declared a state of emergency and suspended gas production.

A critical factor for the industry is a shortage of helium, which has no industrial substitute in semiconductor manufacturing. South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy has also flagged 14 raw-material items, including bromine, whose supplies depend on stability in the Persian Gulf. Disruptions to logistics through the Strait of Hormuz directly affect the region’s largest consumers — China, India, Japan, and South Korea.

The crisis creates long‑term risks for the AI sector. Tech industry representatives warn of potential freezes on data‑centre construction projects in the Middle East. Reduced investment activity in the region could lower global demand for high‑performance chips and slow AI model training.

The situation is worsened by a logistical blockade that has sent freight and marine insurance costs in the region sharply higher. Goldman Sachs analysts note that a protracted conflict will force tech giants, including Samsung and SK Hynix, to seek alternative commodity sources outside the Middle East. That will inevitably push up production costs and produce shortages of server components and consumer electronics parts.