The Bangladeshi government has claimed that the ongoing Middle East conflict has not disrupted the country’s fuel supply. At a press briefing in Dhaka, Energy Division Joint Secretary Md. Monir Hossain Chowdhury said that fuel reserves and supply remain satisfactory, with refined oil being imported from alternative sources. Eastern Refinery Limited continues limited operations to maintain supply, while five lakh liters of stored fuel have been recovered. Despite these assurances, long queues and temporary closures were reported at petrol pumps across the country.

Officials confirmed that crude oil shipments from Saudi Arabia and the UAE were delayed due to the closure of the Hormuz Strait, preventing the arrival of three lakh tons of crude oil in March and April. However, new shipments are expected by early May, and emergency imports have been approved. The government also formed a cabinet committee to review potential fuel price adjustments if the conflict persists.

Energy officials attributed the current fuel station chaos to panic buying rather than actual shortages, urging citizens not to stockpile fuel unnecessarily.