German Auto Suppliers Turn Bearish as Investment and Jobs Shift Overseas 
Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene as USD/JPY Nears 161 Amid Yen Weakness 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
Oil Prices Ease as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Peace Deal and Strait of Hormuz Reopening 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Yen Near 40-Year Lows Despite BOJ Rate Hike, Markets Brace for Possible Intervention 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Oil prices moved higher during early Asian trading on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Washington was prepared to launch military action against Iran if Tehran failed to agree to a peace arrangement. The renewed geopolitical tension pushed global energy markets higher as investors closely monitored developments surrounding the Middle East conflict and the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude futures for July delivery gained 0.5% to reach $105.53 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures climbed 0.9% to $94.83 per barrel. The rebound followed two consecutive sessions of losses after Trump previously hinted that negotiations with Iran were making progress.
Despite earlier optimism over diplomatic talks, Trump later stated that the United States remained ready to carry out strikes against Iran, describing the situation as being “right on the borderline.” He added that the administration could delay further military action for “a few days” to allow room for negotiations.
Iran strongly rejected Trump’s warnings and cautioned that any new attacks by the U.S. or Israel could significantly escalate tensions across the region. Tehran also introduced a new “Persian Gulf Strait Authority” aimed at controlling shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials had earlier discussed imposing toll fees on vessels using the strategic waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a major focus for global markets because it handles nearly 20% of worldwide oil shipments. Although reports showed that two Chinese oil tankers successfully passed through the channel on Wednesday, overall traffic remains far below normal levels due to ongoing security concerns.
The disruption in Hormuz has become a major driver behind rising oil prices, as traders fear tighter global supply conditions. Meanwhile, newly released U.S. inventory data showed a sharp weekly decline in crude stockpiles, largely driven by increased American oil exports intended to offset supply disruptions linked to the Middle East crisis.
Analysts expect crude oil volatility to remain elevated as investors watch for updates on U.S.-Iran negotiations, regional military activity, and shipping conditions in the Strait of Hormuz throughout 2026.
