FOLLOW US

America April 9, 2026 3 mins read

Oil Prices Rise as Ceasefire Uncertainty and Strait of Hormuz Concerns Rattle Markets

America ı By Tyler Brooks

0 Comments

shutterstock_1982751314

Global oil prices climbed as doubts intensified over the durability of a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran, following a new wave of Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon.

Tehran responded by warning of a "regret-inducing response" should the attacks persist, while US President Donald Trump said American forces would remain deployed in the region until Iran adheres to what he called the "real" ceasefire terms.

Prices had fallen sharply on Wednesday after the truce was announced, alongside plans to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

However, renewed concerns emerged after reports indicated Iran may keep the critical shipping corridor closed in response to Israeli military action, raising the prospect of prolonged disruptions to global energy flows.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 2% to $96.53 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate gained 2.8% to $97.02, as what Vice President JD Vance described as a "fragile truce" came under pressure.

Equity markets also gave up some of their earlier gains. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.5%, and South Korea’s Kospi dropped 1.8%.

"I think there's a little bit of nervousness in global markets," Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor, told the BBC's Today programme.

"Markets are giving back some gains… and I think that reflects a lot of uncertainty over whether the Strait of Hormuz is actually open."

Sim Moh Siong, a strategist at Singapore-based OCBC, said attention will center on whether energy shipments can continue through the strait, as questions remain about how Tehran intends to manage vessel traffic.

A key provision of the ceasefire required that ships be allowed to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz.

Yet vessels operating in the Gulf have reportedly been warned by Iran’s navy that any attempting to transit the strait without authorization "will be targeted and destroyed," according to shipping brokerage SSY, which confirmed the message to BBC Verify.

Since the agreement was announced, only a limited number of ships have crossed the passage—far fewer than the roughly 130 vessels that moved through it daily prior to the conflict.

Maritime tracking firm Pole Star Global estimates it would take at least 10 days to clear the current backlog, even if normal traffic resumes.

Several nations, including Malaysia, India, and the Philippines, have recently secured arrangements to allow their ships safe passage.

"It is very difficult to plan because every day you get very different news," said Nils Haupt from container shipping firm Hapag-Lloyd, which still has six ships in the Persian Gulf.

"Yesterday [Wednesday] was a typical day. You get the news, 'it will now be open and something is happening now', and then in the evening it is not happening," he told the Today programme.

Haupt added that uncertainty also surrounds potential transit fees for the strait, cautioning that any significant charges could have wide-reaching consequences.

"If this means that for the coming years there will be a fee for the Strait of Hormuz of millions which is double, triple the price of crossing the Panama Canal or the Suez Canal it would be quite ridiculous for the entire industry."

Questions also persist about whether Lebanon is covered under the ceasefire terms.

On Wednesday, Israel carried out its most intense strikes of the conflict in Lebanon, with at least 182 people reported killed.

Hezbollah said in a statement posted on social media that it had fired rockets at northern Israel. The Iran-backed militia says it was in response to ceasefire violations.

Vance is expected to participate in talks with Iran in Pakistan on Saturday.

Previous Article

Elder Parole Review Raises Possibility Of Release For ‘America’s Most Wanted’ Fugitive

Read More
1049 Posts

Tyler Brooks

Tyler is covering the intersection of law, finance, and public policy. With a keen eye for regulatory shifts and market trends, he brings clarity to complex issues shaping the global economy, and drama whenever possible.

Discussion

No comments yet. Be the first to join the discussion!

Don’t Miss It
America October 13, 2026
Ilhan Omar Faces Federal Search as…

Ilhan Omar, is a current Minnesota Democratic congresswoman known for…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 13, 2026
Microsoft Cut Off From Green Card…

What American Workers Need to Know Microsoft has been suspended…

By – Samuel Lopez
America October 13, 2026
Supreme Court Opens Explosive New Term…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Supreme Court opened its new term…

By – Derek Johnson
Breaking News October 13, 2026
Trump Insists Russia-Ukraine “Energy Ceasefire” Is…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump insisted Tuesday that an…

By – Derek Johnson
America October 13, 2026
Man Dies at Six Flags Over…

AUSTELL, Ga. — A man died Monday afternoon after an…

By – Derek Johnson
America October 13, 2026
David Grusch Takes Pentagon FOIA Fight…

Key Takeaways Former U.S. intelligence officerDavid Grusch is fighting the…

By – Samuel Lopez
America October 12, 2026
Corcept Moves to Bar Retired Federal…

What’s at Stake in the Korlym Fight Corcept Therapeutics wants…

By – Samuel Lopez
America October 12, 2026
Selma Blair Faces Issues After Alleged…

Selma Blair, the actress known for her roles in Cruel…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 12, 2026
Medicare Insurer Sues CMS After Star…

What’s at Stake Alignment’s largest California Medicare Advantage contract fell…

By – Samuel Lopez
America October 12, 2026
Popular True Crime Podcasts to Explore

True crime podcasts allow listeners to follow investigations, revisit historical…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 12, 2026
California Sues 3D Printing Giant Polymaker…

What California Is Alleging San Diego County alleges Polymaker deliberately…

By – Samuel Lopez
America October 12, 2026
True Crime: Why Real-Life Mysteries Fascinate…

True crime has become one of the most popular genres…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 12, 2026
Police Can Collect Your Phone’s Data…

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas ordered nearly $4.5 million in police…

By – Michallie Harrison
America October 12, 2026
State Farm $5B Payout Sends Cash…

Insurance usually works in one direction: you pay premiums, and…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 12, 2026
Ilhan Omar: Urgent Federal Raid Sparks…

WASHINGTON — Federal agents raided Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Washington-area home…

By – Michallie Harrison
America October 12, 2026
Are Russian Bots Behind Quieter Feeds?…

Ukrainian strikes on Russian data centers have fueled claims that…

By – Michallie Harrison
America October 11, 2026
Televangelist Jim Bakker Dies At 86…

Key Takeaways Televangelist Jim Bakker died October 5 at 86,…

By – Samuel Lopez
America October 11, 2026
Energy Ceasefire: Trump Says Russia and…

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Sunday that Russia and…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 12, 2026
Selma Blair Arrest Follows Midair Incident…

A cross-country flight is supposed to end with a quiet…

By – Tyler Brooks
America October 12, 2026
RJ Mitte Death at 34 Leaves…

Some actors play a role. A rare few turn that…

By – Tyler Brooks
America October 12, 2026
Charter Space $5M Seed Funding Fuels…

Rockets get the headlines, but none of them leave the…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 12, 2026
Sean Combs Medical Emergency Sends Fort…

Few places are as tightly sealed as a federal prison,…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 12, 2026
Ilhan Omar Raid Sparks Political Firestorm…

Most political storms announce themselves with speeches and press releases.…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 11, 2026
Brad Pitt Lawyer Raises Sexism Concern…

By Samuel López | USA Herald LOS ANGELES — Brad…

By – Samuel Lopez
America October 9, 2026
Mother of Dead Russian Plague Lab…

What Readers Need to Know Darya Shipilova’s mother says the…

By – Samuel Lopez
America October 9, 2026
Cornell Rape Case Raises a Difficult…

SIDEBAR Major research generally places demonstrably false sexual-assault reports at…

By – Samuel Lopez
America October 9, 2026
Kevin Hart’s 2017 Sex Tape Could…

SIDEBAR Kevin Hart’s former assistant Miesha Shakes has identified both…

By – Samuel Lopez
America October 8, 2026
Hegseth’s Execution Livestream Is a Disgrace

The Pentagon plans to livestream the firing-squad execution of Nidal…

By – Michallie Harrison
America October 8, 2026
Christa Pike Survived. Can Tennessee Execute…

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Christa Pike is conscious and speaking after…

By – Michallie Harrison
America October 8, 2026
Judge Newman Wins Independent Review As…

What Changed for Judge Newman Judge Pauline Newman has finally…

By – Samuel Lopez
America October 11, 2026
AP Poll Top 25: Georgia Claims…

Georgia has reclaimed the top spot in the AP Poll…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 10, 2026
A.J. Armstrong: Former NFL Player’s Son…

 HOUSTON — Antonio “A.J.” Armstrong Jr., the son of former…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 9, 2026
NFL Pro Tyreek Hill Takes the…

What the Jury Is Hearing Lakeeta “Keeta” Vaccaro Hill testified…

By – Samuel Lopez
America October 9, 2026
Terrell Owens Sued By Nolan Wells’…

What Readers Need to Know Three young men who were…

By – Samuel Lopez
America October 3, 2026
California Sends Cease and Desist Letter…

What Matters in This Fight California regulators have reportedly ordered…

By – Samuel Lopez
America October 3, 2026
Costco Faces $5 Million Sugar-Free Lawsuit…

By Samuel López | USA Herald Costco Wholesale Corporation is…

By – Samuel Lopez

No posts found.

No posts found.

Signup for the USA Herald
exclusive Newsletter