Lobbyists are raising alarms in Washington that the war in Iran is threatening the world’s supply of helium, which is vital for manufacturing semiconductors.
About a third of the world’s helium production comes from a Qatar plant damaged by Iranian attacks, and the Strait of Hormuz is a vital shipping route for helium, as it is with oil and gas.
Samir Kapadia, managing principal and head of trade at the Vogel Group, said that over the next 60 days, semiconductor company CEOs will move the issue of helium supply from the commercial lane into the national security realm.
“I would ...