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Oil Prices Fall, Stocks Rise as Trump Says Military Goals ‘Pretty Well Complete’ • FRANCE 24

Donald Trump’s assertion that the Iran‑related “Operation Epic Fury” is “pretty well complete” sent oil benchmarks tumbling from Monday’s $120‑plus highs, while equity markets in Asia and Europe rallied sharply. Brent and WTI fell sharply, prompting a 5%‑plus gain in the Nikkei and a 2% rise in Germany’s DAX, as investors priced in a potential de‑escalation of hostilities. Analysts warned that volatility remains high: the Hormuz Strait stays effectively closed, choking tanker traffic and keeping supply‑side risk alive. The administration is weighing several levers—releasing emergency crude reserves, pausing the federal gas tax, intervening in futures markets, or easing sanctions on Russian oil—to curb rising pump prices ahead of the mid‑term elections. Trump’s “we’ve already won in many ways, but we haven’t won enough” remark underscored lingering uncertainty, while Saudi‑based CEO warned of a “biggest crisis” for the regional oil‑gas sector. In parallel, Venezuela’s parliament approved a bill to open its mining sector to foreign investors, a move championed by the U.S. to counter China’s mineral dominance despite entrenched corruption and environmental risks. The combined narrative signals a tentative risk‑on shift for global markets, but also highlights the geopolitical and policy headwinds that could quickly reverse sentiment. Investors must monitor Hormuz‑related supply constraints, U.S. policy actions on oil, and the unfolding investment climate in Venezuela’s mineral‑rich economy.