Global oil prices surged sharply after President Donald Trump warned the United States would strike Iran “extremely hard” in the coming weeks, escalating tensions and rattling already fragile global markets.
In the hours following his primetime address from the White House, Brent crude climbed by 5% to $106 a barrel, reflecting growing fears that the الأزمة could further disrupt supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy trade.
The waterway, through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes, has effectively been blocked by Iran, sending shockwaves through energy markets and pushing prices well above pre-conflict levels.
Trump’s address, rather than calming markets, appeared to heighten uncertainty. While suggesting US military operations could wind down soon, he simultaneously issued stark warnings of further escalation.
“We will hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks,” Trump said. “We will bring them back to the Stone Ages where they belong.”
The president framed the crisis as a shared responsibility, calling on US allies to “build up the courage” to secure the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that Washington no longer depends heavily on Middle Eastern oil.
He insisted that countries reliant on the route should take the lead in reopening it, signalling a shift in the US posture despite ongoing military involvement.
Despite claiming Iran had already been significantly weakened militarily, Trump renewed calls for Tehran to strike a deal with the United States, though he did not outline any specific terms for negotiations.
He also repeated threats to target Iran’s energy infrastructure, warning that failure to reach an agreement could result in US strikes on Iranian power plants.
The response from Tehran was swift. Iran’s foreign ministry rejected Trump’s earlier assertion that it had sought a ceasefire, describing the claim as “false and baseless,” further deepening the diplomatic standoff.
Financial markets reacted negatively across Asia, where many economies depend heavily on Middle Eastern oil imports. Stocks declined as investors weighed the احتمال of prolonged disruption to energy supplies and rising geopolitical risk.
Analysts noted that Trump’s speech largely reiterated previous positions but failed to address key uncertainties, including how the US intends to secure the Strait, whether allies will step in, and what conditions might lead to de-escalation.
The lack of clarity has left markets on edge, with traders increasingly pricing in the risk of sustained supply constraints and broader regional instability.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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