Fixing the oil crisis might not fix the Persian Gulf

If the Strait of Hormuz completely reopens, it still might not be enough to restart the economies in the Persian Gulf. Many countries there have been hammered by the oil crisis. And although allowing ships through would stanch the immediate bloodletting in the energy sector, other sectors might not spring back so quickly. Tourists are visiting less. Property markets are at risk. <br /><br />On today’s show, we survey the economic damage to countries in the Gulf. And try to get a sense of the long-term economic implications. <br /><br /><em>The Indicator is launching a newsletter! The very first email goes out this Friday. Be among the first and sign-up now: </em><a href="http://npr.org/newsletter/indicator" target="_blank"><em>npr.org/newsletter/indicator</em></a><em> </em><br /><br /><em>Come see Planet Money live on stage! 12 cities. Details and tix here: </em><a href="https://www.planetmoneybook.com/#tour" target="_blank"><em>planetmoneybook.com/#tour</em></a><br /><br /><strong>Related episodes: </strong><br /><a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/04/15/nx-s1-5785228/think-the-oil-shock-is-bad-in-the-us-look-here" target="_blank">Think the oil shock is bad in the US? Look here</a><br /><a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/04/08/nx-s1-5776781/how-are-drivers-riding-out-the-gas-crisis" target="_blank">How are drivers riding out the gas crisis?</a> <br /><a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/03/10/nx-s1-5742757/will-trumps-shipping-insurance-plan-work" target="_blank">Will Trump’s shipping insurance plan work?</a><br /><br /><em>For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at </em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/" target="_blank"><em>plus.npr.org</em></a><em>.</em> <em>Fact-checking by </em><a href="https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez" target="_blank"><em>Sierra Juarez</em></a><em>. Music by </em><a href="https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank"><em>Drop Electric</em></a><em>. Find us: </em><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney" target="_blank"><em>TikTok</em></a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/" target="_blank"><em>Instagram</em></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney" target="_blank"><em>Facebook</em></a>, <a href="https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money" target="_blank"><em>Newsletter</em></a><em>.</em><br /><br />See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>