Iran war disrupts helium supply, threatening chip supply chain

The conflict in Iran is disrupting access to helium supplies critical for semiconductor manufacturing, with Qatar—which produces roughly one-third of the world's helium—unable to export freely due to the regional war. Helium is essential to chip production, used in cooling and other manufacturing processes that make modern electronics possible. The supply disruption threatens to ripple through global semiconductor supply chains at a moment when chip demand remains high for artificial intelligence, data centers, and consumer electronics. Helium is a non-renewable resource with limited alternative sources, making Qatar's production capacity particularly vital to manufacturers worldwide. If the conflict persists, chip makers may face delays or higher production costs, potentially affecting everything from smartphones to advanced computing infrastructure.