Oil Surges as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Ignite Markets

Front-month WTI crude oil futures climbed to $74.51 per barrel, while Brent crude reached $79.28. The escalation followed U.S. strikes on Iranian military assets and subsequent Iranian fire directed at commercial vessels navigating the vital waterway. Analysts at Goldman Sachs noted that while the immediate rally highlights the market's sensitivity to regional flows, long-term price estimates face downside risks as Gulf producers develop pipeline capacity to bypass the strait.

Market sentiment remains fragile, with broader equity indices reacting to the instability. Japan's Nikkei fell 1.5%, and the South Korean Kospi dropped 5.1%, pressured by sharp declines in chip-related equities. SK Hynix shares plunged 10% following a U.S. listing, while Samsung Electronics retreated 6.1%. Investors are simultaneously reassessing the sustainability of the artificial intelligence rally, further complicating the trading landscape. Despite the regional hostility, ANZ Research observers noted that both Washington and Tehran appear to be avoiding direct strikes on energy infrastructure, signaling a mutual reluctance to trigger an uncontrollable, full-scale conflict.