A major Saudi chemical facility has halted operations as the ongoing Iran conflict continues to disrupt critical energy infrastructure across the Gulf. Sadara Chemical Company, a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemical, confirmed a complete temporary shutdown but did not provide a timeline for resuming production. The development underscores the widening impact of the crisis, particularly as the Strait of Hormuz—through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flows—remains blocked. The Sadara plant alone produces around three million tons of chemicals annually, highlighting the scale of disruption. Meanwhile, the United Nations Development Programme estimates the region could lose up to $200 billion in GDP, with rising unemployment and poverty levels worsening the economic fallout.