COPENHAGEN, May 7 (Reuters) - Shipping group Maersk beat first-quarter profit expectations on Thursday but kept its full-year profit forecast steady, warning that Iran's war had cast a shadow over its freight rate and cost outlook.

Maersk's shares fell 3.3 percent by 0738 GMT following the results announcement, amid concerns that high fuel prices will affect profits.

Maersk, a key indicator of global trade, still expects global container volume growth of between two and four percent this year, but said the situation remains volatile.

The company said in a statement, "The outlook for global container demand in 2026 is highly uncertain. Higher energy prices and trade restrictions in the North Gulf region, which in 2025 accounted for about six percent of global container trade, pose downside risks to growth momentum."

Maersk's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for the January-March period were $1.73 billion, compared with an average forecast of $1.66 billion in a company survey of 10 analysts, but significantly lower than the $2.71 billion for the same period last year.

The first quarter does not reflect the full impact of the war on global supply chains, as it began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran.

The war disrupted shipping routes after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, leading to higher costs such as fuel.

Maersk said shipping rates fell during the quarter due to a continued oversupply before rising sharply at the end of the period following the outbreak of war.

However, some analysts have warned that the conflict could negatively impact Maersk's profits, with shipping rates on the Asia-Europe route returning to near pre-war levels while fuel costs remain high.