Asian Currencies Hold Steady Amid Iran Conflict and Central Bank Decisions 
U.S.-Iran War Pushes Brent Crude Back Above $100 as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Persist 
Fed Holds Rates Steady as Middle East Conflict Clouds Inflation Outlook 
Asia Stocks Rise Amid Central Bank Week and Middle East Tensions 
Japan's Major Companies Lead Strong Wage Growth for Fourth Consecutive Year 
S&P Affirms Kuwait's AA- Credit Rating Amid Strait of Hormuz Disruption 
Bank of Japan Holds Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns and Yen Weakness 
U.S. Stock Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision Amid Middle East Tensions 
U.S. Presses South Korea on Strait of Hormuz Naval Support Amid Rising Energy Tensions 
Gold Prices Hold Steady Amid U.S.-Israel-Iran Conflict and Fed Rate Decision 
Iran-Israel War Escalates: Cluster Missiles, Nuclear Fears, and Strait of Hormuz Crisis 
U.S.-Iran War Escalates as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Threatens Global Oil Supply 
Oil Prices Dip as U.S. Crude Inventories Surge Amid Middle East Tensions 
U.S. Futures Dip as Fed Hawkishness and Middle East Tensions Rattle Markets 
Dollar Steadies as Oil Pullback Lifts Risk Sentiment Before Central Bank Decisions 
Bank of Japan Governor Signals Gradual Progress Toward 2% Inflation Target 
Global oil prices spiked sharply on Thursday, with West Texas Intermediate crude futures briefly breaching the $100-per-barrel threshold amid escalating military tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Brent crude futures climbed 3.4% to $111.15 a barrel, while WTI futures surged 3.5% to $99.85, touching an intraday high of $100.02.
The rally was fueled by reports that Israel struck facilities within Iran's South Pars field, the world's largest natural gas reserve. In response, Tehran threatened retaliatory strikes on critical energy infrastructure across the Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia's SAMREF and Jubail complexes, the UAE's Al Hisn gasfield, and Qatar's Ras Laffan refinery. These threats intensified fears of widespread supply disruptions across one of the world's most vital oil-producing regions.
Adding to market anxiety, a Reuters report revealed that the Trump administration is weighing a large-scale military deployment to the Middle East. Among the objectives under consideration is securing safe passage for oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has kept largely closed — a development that alone poses a significant threat to global crude supply chains. Washington is also reportedly evaluating troop deployment to Iran's Kharg Island, a major oil export hub that was struck by military forces the previous week.
Despite rising crude prices, the U.S. dollar also strengthened, while the Federal Reserve signaled uncertainty over energy-driven inflation following stronger-than-expected producer price data. An unexpected build in U.S. oil inventories briefly tempered the rally, as did news that Iraqi and Kurdish officials agreed to resume oil flows through Turkey's Ceyhan port. Major global economies are also reportedly coordinating emergency petroleum reserve releases to help stabilize markets. Nevertheless, geopolitical risk continues to dominate sentiment, keeping upward pressure on oil prices.
