Russia Bans Gasoline Exports April-July Amid Global Energy Crisis

Moscow Cuts Supply to Tight Global Market as Middle East Conflict Disrupts Shipping\n\nRussia will ban all gasoline exports from April 1 through July 31, Deputy PM Alexander Novak announced. The move prioritizes domestic supply as global energy markets face unprecedented disruption from the Iran-US conflict.\n\n### Key Points\n\n- Duration: 4 months (April 1 — July 31, 2026)\n- Trigger: Middle East turmoil disrupting Strait of Hormuz (21M barrels/day)\n- Houthi escalation: Yemen forces threatening Strait of Mandeb create second chokepoint\n- Putin's view: "Excess profits" from conflict won't last long\n- History: Russia has imposed similar temporary export bans multiple times\n\n### Shipping Impact\n\nTwo COSCO Shipping container vessels turned back from the Strait of Hormuz, unable to pass. This illustrates the real-world shipping disruption caused by the Iran conflict.\n\n### Market Effect\n\nThe export ban compounds existing supply constraints from Middle East shipping disruptions, adding further upward pressure on oil prices already elevated by the dual chokepoint threats.\n\nSource: TASS, Reuters, Zhihu