Global Oil Prices Surge Past $100 as Trump Orders US Navy Blockade of Iranian Ports

President Trump orders US Navy blockade of Iranian ports as peace talks fail, sending oil prices soaring. Get the latest on the Strait of Hormuz energy crisis.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 6:03 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from BBC

Military Blockade Orders Trigger Energy Market Volatility

Global energy markets experienced a sharp reversal on Monday as President Donald Trump directed the US Navy to initiate a blockade of Iranian maritime facilities. The directive followed the breakdown of peace negotiations, effectively ending a fragile period of diplomatic hope. US Central Command confirmed that beginning at 10:00 EST on Monday, military forces would obstruct all vessels attempting to access or depart from Iranian coastal areas and ports within the Strait of Hormuz. While the blockade specifically excludes ships transiting to non-Iranian destinations, the immediate threat to regional stability caused Brent crude to jump by 7%, while West Texas Intermediate surged 8.7% to reach $104.94.

The Strategic Chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz

The current escalation centers on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime artery responsible for the transit of approximately 20% of the world’s energy shipments. Since the commencement of the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran on February 28, the waterway has remained a volatile flashpoint. While a conditional two-week ceasefire had briefly allowed for the possibility of reopening the route, the latest failure in diplomacy has returned the strait to a state of effective standstill. Market analysts emphasize that the continued disruption of this passage is a primary driver of the surging costs for petrol and diesel, impacting consumers on a global scale.

Iranian Oil Exports and Chinese Trade Links

Despite the ongoing hostilities and maritime restrictions, data suggests that Iran has maintained a significant level of crude oil exports. According to maritime intelligence firm Windward, more than 58 million barrels of oil have departed from Kharg Island, Iran's primary export terminal, since March 1. The firm's analysis indicates that over 90% of these shipments were destined for China, highlighting a resilient trade corridor that persists despite Western pressure. The new US blockade aims to specifically target these movements, raising the stakes for international trade partners and further complicating the regional security landscape.