Overview
- President Donald Trump pressed NATO allies and China to send warships, warning of consequences for the alliance and hinting he could delay a Xi summit, yet no government has publicly committed.
- U.S. officials signaled an announcement of an international escort effort could come as soon as this week, though participants, start date and operations remain unsettled.
- Iran’s foreign minister said the strait is barred to U.S. and allied vessels but that some ships from other nations have transited with permission, while the UK maritime agency still rates the area at critical risk after at least 20 attacks.
- Brent crude climbed to about $106 a barrel and U.S. gasoline averages roughly $3.67 per gallon, reflecting a sharp run-up since the strait was constricted.
- The IEA updated its coordinated emergency release to nearly 412 million barrels, with Asian stocks entering the market immediately and additional volumes from Europe and the Americas slated from the end of March.