Oil Prices Plunge as US and Iran Pause Military Strikes
Oil prices plummeted over 5% on Monday after the US and Iran paused their military strikes over the weekend, raising hopes for a diplomatic solution that could ease tensions in the Middle East.
The Brent crude futures price fell $5.70 to $91.08 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was down $4.80 at $84.51 a barrel.
This comes after two weeks of attacks, which had reduced oil shipments via the Strait of Hormuz and spilled over to the Red Sea, hindering exports from Saudi Arabia to Asia.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said that President Donald Trump had decided to pause US attacks to allow more time for diplomacy.