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New $430 Million Oil Short Placed Minutes Before Trump’s Ceasefire Extension

The pattern has drawn a CFTC probe into possible trading on nonpublic policy moves.

Overview

  • Traders placed $430 million in bearish Brent futures bets Tuesday just 15 minutes before President Trump announced an indefinite extension of the U.S.–Iran ceasefire.
  • Exchange data show 4,260 lots were sold between 19:54 and 19:56 GMT during post‑settlement hours, a low‑volume window when trading is usually thin.
  • The selling had little immediate impact, then Brent futures fell to a low of $96.83 within a minute of the announcement.
  • This was the fourth such well‑timed wager since late March, after $500 million on March 23, $950 million on April 7, and $760 million on April 17 placed shortly before related policy news.
  • The CFTC is investigating earlier March 23 and April 7 trades, Reuters reported, and regulators have not announced charges.