Oil markets surged Thursday after President Trump pledged to strike Iran “extremely hard.” Front‑month Brent for June jumped 6.6% to $107.82 a barrel, while May WTI rose 6.1% to $106.19. European natural‑gas benchmark Dutch TTF climbed 4.8% to 49.87 euros per megawatt‑hour, reflecting heightened geopolitical risk.

Trump delivered a 20‑minute televised address, offering no timeline for ending the conflict but promising that U.S. military objectives would be achieved “very shortly.” He urged allies to muster “delayed courage” and hinted at a possible push to seize control of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for global oil shipments.

Energy analysts said the president’s vague wording leaves a range of military options on the table, fueling market volatility. Claudio Galimberti, chief economist at Rystad Energy, warned that without clearer de‑escalation signals, oil and gas prices could remain erratic, pressuring both consumers and companies dependent on stable input costs.

Investors now weigh the risk of a broader Middle‑East flare‑up against any potential diplomatic breakthrough. Higher crude levels boost revenue for producers but raise input costs for airlines, shipping firms and manufacturers. The immediate market reaction underscores how quickly geopolitical rhetoric can translate into tangible price swings.