Oil prices soared on Thursday after US president Donald Trump vowed in a televised speech to hit Iran 'extremely hard' over the coming weeks. Iran was drafting a protocol with Oman for traffic through the strait, its foreign ministry said. The energy index rose 2.7 per cent, leading gains as oil hit around $110 a barrel after Trump vowed continued attacks on Iran. Oil majors BP and Shell rose 2.6 per cent and 2.9 per cent respectively, ranking among the top gainers on the benchmark index. EuropeThe pan-European Stoxx 600 index fell 0.2 per cent, while Europe’s broad FTSEurofirst 300 index fell 0.22 per cent.

Source: The Irish Times April 03, 2026 05:08 UTC