Crude oil prices up over 5% on persistent tensions in Strait of Hormuz
CGTN
1777541069000

Fuel prices displayed at a gas station in Manhattan, New York City, on April 21, 2026. (Photo: VCG)

Crude futures saw prices rise over 5% in the morning session on Wednesday amid reports that US President Donald Trump told aides and energy companies to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran's ports.

As of 10 a.m. Eastern Time (1400 GMT), West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures for June delivery reached as high as $105.04 per barrel, up $5.11 or about 5.11% from the settlement on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Brent crude oil futures for June delivery saw a high of $117.15 per barrel, up $5.89 or 5.29% from the settlement in the previous session.

"Iran can't get their act together. They don't know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!" Trump said in a post on social media early Wednesday.

Earlier, media reports said that Trump had instructed his administration to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran as the ceasefire remains in place amid stalled talks.

"The ongoing stalemate in US-Iran negotiations makes any near-term normalization of flows through Hormuz increasingly unlikely," said Linh Tran, an analyst with online trading platform XS.com. "The market is no longer simply pricing in risk, but rather a prolonged period of supply disruption."

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency