The ongoing conflict involving Iran has created widespread disruptions to global supply chains while simultaneously boosting US retail sales through higher gasoline prices, according to multiple industry reports.

US retail sales rose 1.7% in March following a 0.7% increase in February, driven primarily by increased consumer spending at gas stations as fuel prices climbed amid the Middle East tensions. The surge in gasoline receipts represented a record monthly increase, reflecting both higher prices and sustained consumer demand.

The conflict's impact extends beyond energy markets, affecting diverse industries worldwide. Malaysian condom manufacturer Karex, the world's largest producer, announced it will raise prices significantly due to supply chain disruptions caused by the Iran conflict. "The situation is definitely very fragile, prices are expensive... We have no choice but to transfer the costs right now to the customers," CEO Goh Miah Kiat said in a recent interview.

Oil market analysts have expressed concerns about the scale of supply disruptions, with some suggesting current prices do not fully reflect the potential impact on global energy supplies. However, Russia appears positioned to increase oil flows as the effects of recent drone strikes on its infrastructure begin to fade, according to industry observers.

Traders in the energy sector have warned that the worst effects on oil demand may still be ahead, as the full economic impact of the regional conflict continues to unfold across global markets.