Waiting for Godot

Key Points

  • President Trump said he would indefinitely extend the ceasefire with Iran to allow for further peace talks, but the blockade of Iranian ports continues.
  • According to Tasnim, the Iranian negotiating team informed Pakistani mediators that it will not attend talks in Islamabad on Wednesday, and “there is currently no prospect for participating in the negotiations.”
  • The last oil tankers to traverse the Strait of Hormuz before the conflict started are now offloading their cargoes.
  • Global markets face a crude oil shortage of 10 million barrels per day for as long as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
  • The IEA coordinated release of 400 million barrels from reserves will last 40 days.
  • China halted purchases and released crude from its extensive reserves to minimize disruption, but is expected to resume purchases in weeks.

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Dire Straits

Key Points

  • Brent crude futures are trading below $100 per barrel, as President Trump says Iran wants to “work a deal.”
  • However, the physical market shows signs of distress, with Forties Blend close to $149 per barrel on Monday.
  • The “genie is out of the bottle,” and the Gulf states are unlikely to settle for a deal that leaves Iran with the capability to close the Strait of Hormuz.
  • A US blockade of Iranian ports could escalate tensions with China.
  • Lithium miners jumped on sharp increases in EV sales in Europe and other countries that saw steep increases in energy prices.

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