The Briefing Room, The Briefing Room, What's the conflict in Iran doing to the world economy?

The Briefing Room

The Briefing Room

What's the conflict in Iran doing to the world economy?

23 April 2026

29 minutes

Available for over a year

It’s almost two months since the United States and Israel went to war with Iran. And in spite of a ceasefire the vital Strait of Hormuz through which 20 per cent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes on tankers, is still effectively closed. The oil price remains high, affecting economies around the world. The most recent assessment from the International Monetary Fund warned that the war could throw the world economy “off course” and a prolongued conflict risked causing a global recession. David Aaronovitch asks what this means for us now and whether an end to the conflict could re-set the world’s economies or have conditions changed for good?

Guests:

Joseph Stiglitz, American economist and recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences and Professor at Columbia University

Duncan Weldon, author and economist

Diana Choyleva, economist and founder of Enodo Economics.

Presenter: David Aaronovitch

Producers: Caroline Bayley, Sally Abrahams, Kirsteen Knight

Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele

Sound engineer: Neil Churchill

Editor: Richard Vadon