Brent crude prices climbed sharply in late trading as President Donald Trump signaled that US forces would strike Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site "soon," escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The announcement, reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, marks a significant intensification of the diplomatic standoff that has already gripped global markets.
The market reaction was immediate, with energy traders repricing the risk of supply disruption.
Brent crude, already sensitive to geopolitical friction, saw buying interest return as the threat of direct military action moved from rhetoric to imminent operational planning.
The move underscores how quickly geopolitical headlines can drive commodity volatility, with investors bracing for potential supply chain shocks.
Compounding the pressure on global shipping, Houthi militants issued new threats in the Red Sea, causing several oil tankers to stop or turn around.