The Trump Admin Wants More Babies—and the Iran War Is Making Condoms More Expensive

It’s officially been 50 days since the president illegally attacked Iran, and between the closing—and re-opening and re-closing—of the Strait of Hormuz, the world economy has taken a beating, from worsening shipping delays to increased cost of materials. And no industry has been spared.

On Tuesday, Reuters reported that the ramifications of this needless war have hit Karex, the world’s largest condom producer, which produces more than five billion condoms per year, and supplies brands like Durex and Trojan, as well as the United Nations and Britain’s National Health Service. 

Currently, the average condom costs about a buck or two a pop, but Karex’s CEO, Goh Miah Kiat, told the outlet they’ll have to increase their prices by up to 30%, since manufacturing the condoms requires key materials like synthetic rubber and nitrile—all of which currently cost much more, alongside the rising costs of freight and shipping.

Because the situation is “very fragile,” he said, they have “no choice but to transfer the costs right now to the customers.” Love paying for the Trump administration’s misdeeds. 

So because of the strait of hormuz blockade… I should now enter another strait unprotected?

— Zaram (@BlueSideOtaku) April 21, 2026

Goh added that the condom market was already facing shortages earlier this year, following the administration’s extensive cuts to USAID, adding that developing countries will get screwed over the most. “We’re seeing a lot more condoms actually sitting on vessels that have not ⁠arrived ​at their destination but are highly required,” he said. In October, the administration let approximately $10 million worth of contraceptives go to waste, including about 26 million condoms. 

We’re not suggesting the Trump admin launched a war to further its creepy pro-natalist agenda, but a condom shortage as a result of the foreign-policy dick move of the century does feel very Make America Great Again, derogatory.

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