No lights for Eid, closed universities: Bangladesh moves to save fuel amidst West Asia conflict

On Sunday, Bangladesh announced that there will be no decorative lighting on either government and private buildings for Eid-ul-Fitr, Independence Day and National Day later this month.

The next day, the authorities decided to shut all public and private universities, bringing forward the Eid ul-Fitr holidays as part ⁠of emergency measures to conserve electricity and fuel.

Officials said the move will not only ⁠reduce electricity consumption but also ease traffic congestion, which leads to fuel wastage.

These are some of the more visible signs of the fallout of the attacks launched by the US and Israel against Iran on February 28. Since then, one question has dominated public concern in Bangladesh: is the Strait of Hormuz closed – and if not, are Bangladeshi ships safe to pass?

The waterway, which is about 33-km at its narrowest point, is a key transport route for the oil and gas produced by states in the Persian Gulf. About 20% of global oil and gas consumption passes through it. But Iran, on the northern shore of the Strait, has declared it will not allow “even a single liter” of oil to reach its enemies.

On Monday, Bangladesh obtained a “safe passage” agreement from Iran for its oil and LNG vessels transiting the Strait, provided...

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