Middle East crisis live: oil prices climb after Trump defends Iran war in address to the nation - The Guardian

President Trump delivered a prime-time address defending military action against Iran, triggering losses in global markets and oil price volatility. The remarks reflected an escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Iran, a conflict that has periodically disrupted Middle Eastern stability and energy markets. Oil prices and equities reacted sharply to the presidential statement, signaling investor concern about potential widening conflict in a region critical to global energy supplies. The address underscores how Trump administration rhetoric on Iran can immediately ripple through financial markets, where traders price in geopolitical risk. The situation comes as the Trump administration navigates broader Middle East policy, with markets now closely monitoring whether the rhetoric translates into further military operations.