(Image credit: Shutterstock) Reuters reported today that the effects of the war in Iran and the broader Middle East conflict have significantly disrupted the supply chain for printed circuit boards (PCBs), a fundamental component in most electrical devices. This disruption will put even more strain on the already-taut electronics manufacturing industry and inevitably lead to higher prices for consumers on phones, laptops, consoles, and other gadgets. Go deeper with TH Premium: AI shortages In yet another blow to the broader industry, Iran hit the Jubail petrochemical complex in Saudi Arabia on 7th April, bringing the production of high-purity polypropylene ether (PPE) resin, a critical base material for manufacturing PCB laminate, to a complete stop.…