Crude prices whipsaw on mixed signals from Iran war

Oil prices swung sharply Tuesday as contradictory signals from the Trump administration over Iran policy created uncertainty in energy markets. Trump's threats to destroy Iranian energy infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz were blocked initially pushed prices higher, but a subsequent report that Trump is seeking an end to the war reversed those gains. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint through which roughly one-third of the world's seaborne oil passes, making any disruption to traffic there a major concern for global energy supplies. The volatility underscores how closely crude markets track geopolitical risk in the Middle East, particularly when US military threats and peace overtures send conflicting messages to traders within hours of each other.