Oil extends gains with Brent at $120 as fears of an extended U.S.-Iran conflict rise

Alexander Manzyuk | Reuters Oil extended gains Thursday on signs of a prolonged U.S. blockade of Iranian exports and stalled nuclear negotiations, stoking fears that supplies will remain tight for longer. The gains come as Axios reported that U.S. President Donald Trump had rejected Tehran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, signaling the naval blockade will remain in place until a broader nuclear agreement is reached. June futures for international benchmark Brent crude rose 1.96% to $120 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate added 0.2% to $107.09. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Brent oil prices Brent crude had risen about 6% on Wednesday and WTI gained 7%, as The Wall Street Journal reported, citing U.S. officials, that Trump had instructed aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran. Trump appeared to threaten Iran in a Truth Social post on Wednesday , saying the country "better get smart soon!" "Iran can't get their act together. They don't know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!" Trump said. The post was accompanied by an AI-generated picture of Trump holding a gun with explosions in the background, and the words "NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!" Brent crude has surged to its highest levels since mid-2022, LSEG data shows, as the Middle East conflict chokes supplies. Goldman Sachs estimates that exports through the Hormuz chokepoint have fallen to just 4% of normal levels, while stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations and a continued U.S. …