Trump's Iran Comments Send Oil Prices Soaring
Oil prices surged by more than $2 on Monday due to growing concerns about supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The tensions were fueled by US President Donald Trump's comments on Iran, where he demanded Iran's surrender and threatened to bomb Oman if it gets in the way.
According to Reuters, Brent crude futures settled up 2.65% at $90.87 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 2.55% to $84.50 a barrel.
Bjarne Schieldrop from SEB Research noted that oil prices are unlikely to move significantly higher unless there is a halt in the current flow of crude out of the Strait of Hormuz at night and/or a closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.