Aluminium prices climbed around six per cent in early trading on Monday after Iran attacked two major plants in the Gulf that produce the widely used metal, raising concerns over supply disruptions. Gains later reduced, though prices were still up 4.2 per cent at $3,435 per tonne on the London Metal Exchange. “Escalation and expansion of the Middle East conflict sent crude oil and aluminium up at the open,” noted Ipek Ozkardeskaya, an analyst at Swissquote Bank. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they launched missile and drone strikes on aluminium plants in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates over the weekend, targeting what they described as industries linked to the US military. “Any further disruption to deliveries would add upward pressure on aluminium prices and premiums,” they added.

Source: Punch March 30, 2026 15:06 UTC