WASHINGTON, April 17 -- IMF economists warned yesterday that the war in Iran could have "very, certainly severe" consequences far outside the region - especially for energy-importing countries.

Countries in East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are among the countries most affected now-and who could suffer the most-outside the region, as the conflict stretches on.

Ironically, the ongoing virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz-through which about one-fifth of the world's oil and gas passes-has been a windfall for some petroleum-exporting nations, like Nigeria or Algeria.

But for those that rely on imports for food, fertilizer, and energy, the elevated prices are proving worrisome.

"Oil impacted importers, particularly non-resource-rich and...