Markets slipped in Asia on Monday as fresh fighting broke out between the U.S. and Iran, lifting oil prices.
Brent futures climbed 2.7% to $90.51 a barrel after U.S. forces struck two of Iran's launchers on its island of Larak on Sunday.
In response, Iran attacked U.S. forces stationed in Jordan and claimed to have hit a tanker moving through the strait. President Donald Trump later posted that Kharg Island, Iran's main oil terminal, was being "blown to smithereens," though there was no confirmation of this from the military.
The resulting risk to inflation kept bond markets on edge after Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh emphasised on Friday the central bank had work to do to control inflation.
The week started with a bang in Iran as U.S. forces struck two missile launchers on Larak island in the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran attacked U.S. forces in Jordan.
Not helping was a post from President Trump that Kharg Island, Iran's main oil terminal, was being "blown to smithereens", though there was no confirmation of this from the military.
Seems Iran did try to use rockets to lay naval mines in the strait, a challenge to the U.S. military which claimed last week that it had cleared the main passage for shipping.
Problem is, Iran can keep doing this regularly and from anywhere on the shore, suggesting it will be tough for the
Yet, there are signs U.S. efforts to escort shipping are bearing fruit with Goldman estimating total Gulf oil exports are running at 15-16 million bpd, 7 to 8 million below pre-war levels, but 5 to 6 million above the March trough.
Talk is the ships are travelling at night with their transponders off, and thus not being spotted by ship tracking sites.
Meanwhile, President Trump said oil from a recently struck deal with Venezuela will be used to replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which seems optimistic given analysts assume it will be years - if ever - before production could be meaningfully increased.
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