New Delhi, April 17 -- The government raised the prices of both domestic and commercial LPG cylinders after the outbreak of conflict in West Asia in February. The increase was driven by supply shortages caused by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for the global energy shipments.

The US blockade on vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports has added to the uncertainty around shipping through the Strait, which traffic has sharply declined since the start of the Iran conflict. Officials said earlier that ships bound for non-Iranian destinations can still transit through the route, though they may encounter increased military presence and communications checks.

Ordinarily, roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas exports trans...