Helium Shortage Threatens Chips, MRI Scans, and Defense as Iran War Disrupts Supply
The global helium supply is in crisis due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian strikes on Qatar's Ras Laffan facility, which produces one-third of the world's helium. Prices have tripled, and critical industries like semiconductors, medical imaging, and defense are facing severe shortages and rationing. The U.S. is exporting more helium to offset the gap, but the supply chain remains fragile and dependent on the war's duration.