

Iran conflict threatens project deadlines for Indian engineering giants in the Gulf
The escalating US-Iran conflict has wreaked havoc on market sentiment, leaving investors anxious about spiking crude oil prices and the economic fallout of a prolonged confrontation. This instability carries significant implications for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies, particularly with the threat of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global energy.Consequently, Indian firms with meaningful exposure to the Middle East are facing heightened near-term volatility.
The impact is particularly acute for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) sector, alongside oil & gas services, power transmission, and infrastructure. According to a PL Capital note, the extent of the damage will depend on project concentration, contract terms, receivable cycles, and the potential for a slowdown in fresh order inflows.The nervousness was palpable on the bourses on Monday, as Larsen & Toubro (L&T), the bellwether of Indian infrastructure, saw its stock slide nearly 5%.
The Middle East is a key market for the company, especially for its projects and manufacturing businesses, and the region accounts for about 75% of its international order book.Other EPC majors followed suit, with KEC International’s shares falling nearly 4%. The company's oil & gas pipeline business has secured its third international order for a pipeline laying project in the Middle East.
As for order intake, the business has secured orders of over ₹13,500 crore so far in 2026 across India, the Middle East, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Americas, the company said in its Q3 earnings call. Meanwhile Kalpataru Projects International, which has 14 ongoing projects spread across India and the Middle
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