Oil prices surged overnight Sunday into Monday, driven by renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran. Markets reacted immediately to the announcement of a operation conducted by the US Navy against an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Omanreviving fears of an escalation in a region that is strategic for global energy supply.
West Texas Intermediate crude, the US benchmark, rose 8,04% to $90,59 a barrel. Meanwhile, Brent crude, the global benchmark, gained 6,88% to $96,60 a barrel. This surge reflects investor nervousness over the risk of a new geopolitical shock in the Gulf.
An Iranian cargo ship intercepted by the US Navy
At the heart of this sudden tension is the Touska cargo ship, flying the Iranian flag and targeted by US Treasury sanctions. The vessel allegedly attempted to break the blockade imposed on Iranian ports by the United States.
Le président américain Donald Trump He claimed on Sunday, via his Truth Social network, that the US Navy had opened fire on the Touska in the Gulf of Oman before taking control of it. This intervention immediately provoked a fierce reaction from Tehran, which sees it as a large-scale hostile act.
Tehran promises a response “soon”
At 06:36 a.m., tensions escalated further with the publication of a message by the spokesperson for the Iranian General Staff on Telegram. In this statement, Iran promised a swift response to the seizure of the ship.
“The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon retaliate and take reprisal measures against this act of armed piracy and against the American military.”he wrote.
Iranian authorities also accuse Washington of violating the two-week ceasefire in effect since April 8. For Tehran, this operation constitutes not only an attack on its sovereignty, but also a disruption of an already extremely fragile balance in the region.
A weakened ceasefire
A two-week truce was intended to limit direct clashes between the two countries. By accusing the United States of breaking this ceasefire, Iran seeks to hold Washington accountable on both the diplomatic and military fronts.
These new events are fueling concerns about a rapid resumption of hostilities, direct or indirect, in a region where even the slightest maritime incident can have global repercussions. The Arabian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz remain crucial points for international oil trade, and any risk of disruption there drives up crude oil prices.
Markets fear a new energy crisis
The rise in oil prices primarily reflects fears of a regional conflagration. Traders are concerned that tensions between Iran and the United States could lead to military retaliation, disruptions to maritime traffic, or further tightening of sanctions.
This new surge could quickly impact fuel prices and weigh on crude oil-importing economies. Should the crisis persist, global supply tensions could revive the specter of another oil shock.
A high-risk situation
In just a few hours, the seizure of the Touska was enough to put the Middle East back at the center of global energy and diplomatic concerns. Between threats of Iranian retaliation, accusations of ceasefire violations, and market jitters, the situation appears more volatile than ever.
