17.06.2025 19:36

Crude oil futures experienced a significant surge on Tuesday, climbing over 2.5% to reach a five-month high of $73.6 per barrel. This dramatic price increase followed a provocative online statement from US President Donald Trump, directly threatening Iran's Supreme Leader. The immediate market reaction reflected traders' anxieties concerning escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Trump's inflammatory post, demanding "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER" from Tehran and labeling Ayatollah Ali Khamenei an "easy target," ignited fears of a wider conflict. He specifically stated that the Supreme Leader's location was known, but assured that, for now, assassination was not on the table. However, he emphasized the dwindling patience of the United States and warned against further attacks on American personnel or civilians. This followed five consecutive days of retaliatory strikes between Israel and Iran, creating an already volatile situation.

Adding fuel to the fire, Trump's threat came just two days after reports surfaced that he had vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei. While not denying his involvement in halting the operation, his subsequent declaration of "total control" over Iranian airspace and his uncompromising demand for unconditional surrender significantly escalated the situation, pushing the conflict closer to open military intervention.

Despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attempts to downplay potential fallout with the US over the blocked assassination attempt, the timing of Trump's actions remained undeniably significant. The Israeli preemptive strike on Friday, targeting Iranian military and nuclear facilities, initiated five days of ongoing missile exchanges. In response to the escalating crisis, the Pentagon is deploying additional US warships to the region, as confirmed by NBC News.