Bangladesh shuts universities, limits fuel sale as Iran war causes shortage

Bangladesh relies on imports for 95 percent of its energy needs, which have been disrupted after the Iran war engulfed the Middle East.Published On 9 Mar 2026Bangladesh has closed universities and launched fuel rationing amid a worsening energy crisis linked to the conflict in the Middle ⁠East.Authorities shut all public and private universities across the country from Monday, bringing forward the Eid ⁠al-Fitr holidays as part ⁠of emergency measures to conserve electricity and fuel.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Oil soars past $100 a barrel, stocks plunge as US-Israel war on Iran rageslist 2 of 4Iran war threatens prolonged impact on energy markets as oil prices riselist 3 of 4Iran oil facilities hit for first time as war with US-Israel enters day 9list 4 of 4Why QatarEnergy’s LNG production halt could shake up global gas marketsend of listOfficials said the move will not only ⁠reduce electricity consumption but also ease traffic congestion, which leads to fuel wastage.They said the university campuses consume large amounts of electricity for residential halls, classrooms, laboratories and air conditioning, and the early closure would help ‌ease pressure on the country’s strained power system.“The decision has been taken to reduce electricity and fuel consumption considering the current global situation,” Bangladesh’s Ministry of Education said in a directive circulated to university authorities.Government and private schools are already closed for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, meaning most educational institutions across the country will now remain shut during the period.Bangladesh, which relies on imports for 95 percent of its energy needs, on Friday also imposed daily limits on fuel sales after panic buying and stockpiling.As part of ⁠broader austerity measures, the government has also asked all foreign-curriculum schools and private coaching centres to suspend ⁠operations during this period to limit electricity use.Alongside the closures, the government has issued guidelines encouraging institutions and offices to use electricity more efficiently, including maximising natural daylight and minimising unnecessary lighting and power consumption.