Oil slips, stocks rise as report says Trump willing to end warHONG KONG, March 31, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Oil prices sank and most stocks rose Tuesday, following a report that indicated Donald Trump was willing to end the Iran war even if the key Strait of Hormuz remained closed. Both main oil contracts fell Tuesday, though West Texas Intermediate and Brent were still sitting well above $100 a barrel. However, Trump also threatened Monday to destroy Kharg Island, through which most of Iran's crude passes, if a peace deal is not reached. He warned US forces would destroy "all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!)." Market experts warned that any US ground operation or wider Iranian retaliation could send oil prices to levels not seen since July 2008, when Brent hit almost $150 a barrel.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha March 31, 2026 05:51 UTC