Asian Markets Mixed as Oil Volatility and Inflation Fears Weigh on Sentiment 
Global Markets Tumble as US-Iran Tensions Escalate, Oil Surges 
U.S.-Iran War Escalates: Marines Deploy, Strait of Hormuz Closure Drives Global Oil Crisis 
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Gold Prices Extend Losing Streak, On Track for Worst Weekly Loss Since 1983 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S. Eyes Iranian Supply Relief Amid Middle East Tensions 
Goldman Sachs Delays Bank of England Rate Cut Forecast Amid Middle East Inflation Risks 
Gold Prices Stabilize but Head for Worst Weekly Drop in Six Years Amid Iran War Inflation Fears 
China Holds Benchmark Loan Prime Rate Steady for Tenth Consecutive Month 
EA's $15B Debt Offering Draws $25B in Investor Demand Amid Credit Market Turmoil 
Iran-U.S. War Sends Dollar Higher as Middle East Tensions Escalate 
U.S. Stock Futures Steady as Wall Street Retreats on Oil Volatility and Fed Rate Outlook 
Iran Threatens Gulf Infrastructure as U.S.-Israel War Enters Critical 48-Hour Window 
Israel Defies Trump's Warning, Launches New Strikes on Iran Amid Growing Global Energy Crisis 
Trump Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum to Iran Over Strait of Hormuz, Threatens Power Grid Strikes 
Trump Signals End of U.S. Military Campaign Against Iran as Markets Rally 
Global oil prices remained largely unchanged on Monday as markets balanced growing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East against a sudden influx of Iranian crude hitting global supply chains. Brent crude futures slipped marginally to $112.11 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate hovered around $98.17 — widening the Brent-WTI spread beyond $14 per barrel, its largest gap in years.
Market analysts attributed the brief dip to thin trading volumes and short-term profit-taking rather than any fundamental shift in outlook. Michael McCarthy, CEO of Moomoo Australia, noted that underlying momentum still points upward, with a potential retest of the $120 price level remaining a realistic possibility in the near term.
Tensions escalated sharply after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to destroy Iranian power plants unless Tehran fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf responded with warnings that energy infrastructure across the Middle East could face irreversible damage if Iranian facilities were struck. Energy Aspects founder Amrita Sen cautioned that both sides appear locked in a dangerous cycle of escalation, with Gulf energy infrastructure at serious risk.
The ongoing conflict has already taken a severe toll on regional energy output. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint responsible for roughly 20% of global oil and LNG flows — has nearly ground to a halt. Analysts estimate current supply disruptions are costing global markets between 7 and 10 million barrels per day. Iraq has declared force majeure across foreign-operated oilfields, with Basra production plunging from 3.3 million to just 900,000 barrels per day.
In response to tightening supply, Washington temporarily lifted sanctions on Iranian crude held at sea. Indian refiners have already moved to resume purchases, with other Asian buyers also exploring similar options to offset the growing shortfall.
