Oil Prices Climb as Trump Rejects Iran Proposal, Keeping Markets Volatile
Oil prices rose Monday after US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s peace proposal to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, keeping Middle East tensions high. Brent crude climbed 1.18% to $105.50 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate gained 0.77% to $93.12. The rejection followed Iran’s proposal conveyed through Qatari mediators at the UN General Assembly last week. Trump told Axios he expected further talks this week, leaving negotiations open. Tensions also rose after Yemen’s Saudi-led coalition intercepted missiles and drones launched by Iran-backed Houthis. Markets have been volatile for seven months since US and Israel struck Iran on February 28. Despite tensions, September crude exports from major Middle East producers hit 12.8 million barrels per day, the highest since the war began, with Strait of Hormuz flows expected near 7.4 million barrels daily.