Oil Markets Whipsaw on Strait of Hormuz Tensions as Iran Mines Threaten Supply
Crude prices swung violently after a deleted White House post falsely claimed safe passage of a tanker through the Strait of Hormuz. The brief market calm shattered when US intelligence confirmed Iranian mine-laying activity in the critical waterway, which handles 20% of global oil shipments.
Brent crude surged past $90/barrel after dipping to $82 intraday. WTI followed suit, rebounding from $77 to $80+. The false announcement and subsequent retraction exposed market fragility amid escalating Middle East tensions.
Iran's Foreign Minister accused the US of manipulating markets through disinformation, warning: 'It won’t protect them from the inflationary tsunami they’ve imposed on Americans.' The incident highlights how geopolitical flashpoints now trigger instant volatility across asset classes.