US LNG Exporters Profit from Iran Conflict, India Faces Energy Cost Hike

• European LNG prices surged over 40% after the US-backed Israel-Iran conflict disrupted supplies from Qatar.
• US LNG producers like Venture Global and Cheniere Energy are maximizing output and diverting shipments to higher-priced markets.
• The US became the world's largest LNG exporter in 2023, but analysts caution it cannot fully replace a prolonged loss of Qatari LNG.
• India has short-term energy buffers, but sustained high LNG prices could increase energy tariffs or subsidy burdens.
• About 60% of India's LNG imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint now under heightened geopolitical risk.