PARIS: Here are the latest economic events in the Middle East war:
Stocks up, oil prices rise
Stocks rose Friday as investors remained optimistic about the US-Iran ceasefire ahead of planned weekend talks.
Equity markets in Tokyo and Seoul led gains across Asia as investors tracked gains on Wall Street.
But oil prices extended Thursday’s gains – Brent added 0.6 percent and West Texas Intermediate 0.8 percent – as the key Strait of Hormuz remained largely closed. Both main contracts remain around $100 a barrel.
Worries that Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon could shatter the peace process added to crude-buying sentiment.
Japan to release more oil reserves
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tokyo planned to release a further 20 days’ worth of oil reserves as early as next month.
“To ensure the stable supply of crude oil, we will release starting in early May the equivalent of roughly 20 days’ worth (of oil) from the national reserves,” she said at a meeting held in response to the conflict in the Middle East.
The country began tapping its stockpiles, the world’s largest, in March as the government looked to temper a spike in prices caused by the hit to supply from the conflict.
Trump warns Iran against Hormuz tolls
US President Donald Trump warned Iran against imposing a toll for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, after Tehran agreed to reopen the crucial route as part of a two-week ceasefire.
“There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait – They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
In a second message just a few minutes later, Trump added that “very quickly, you’ll see Oil start flowing, with or without the help of Iran”.
Trump, Starmer seek ‘practical plan’ on Hormuz
Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for “a practical plan” to get shipping moving again through the Strait of Hormuz following the US-Iran ceasefire, the UK leader’s office said.
The two “agreed that now there is a ceasefire in place and agreement to open the Strait, we are at the next stage of finding a resolution”, according to Downing Street.
“The leaders discussed the need for a practical plan to get shipping moving again as quickly as possible,” and agreed to speak again.
EU rejects Hormuz tolls
The European Union said freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be ensured with “no payment or toll whatsoever”, after Iran suggested it could charge for letting ships through the vital Gulf waterway.
“International law provides for the freedom of navigation, which means… basically no payment or toll whatsoever,” said European Commission spokesman Anouar El Anouni. “Freedom of navigation is a public good and needs to be ensured.”
IMF to cut growth forecasts
The International Monetary Fund will lower global growth forecasts because of the war, said managing director Kristalina Georgieva, warning of the conflict’s “scarring effects” despite the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
Georgieva said the IMF expected to have to provide up to $50 billion in immediate financial assistance to countries affected by the war.
She added that food insecurity because of transport and supply chain disruptions caused by the war was expected to affect at least 45 million people and “even in a best case, there will be no neat and clean return to the status quo ante.”
Non-Iranian tanker crosses Strait
The first non-Iranian oil tanker passed through the Strait of Hormuz since the ceasefire was announced, monitor MarineTraffic showed.
The MSG, a Gabon-flagged oil tanker, passed through the strategic waterway loaded with around 7,000 tonnes of Emirati fuel oil, and is headed to Aegis Pipavav, India, according to the maritime monitor.
Traffic through the crucial shipping lane signals it has not meaningfully reopened since the two-week truce took effect on Wednesday. Just two other tankers – both Iran-flagged – and six bulk carriers have been through the strait since Wednesday, according to MarineTraffic owner Kpler.
Inject gas now
It is “critical” to start building up European gas reserves “as early as possible”, said the continent’s network transmission operator, ENTSOG.
“Europe enters the summer injection season from a much lower storage level than in recent years, at a time when global energy markets and supply are under pressure,” said ENTSOG general director Piotr Kus.
“It is critical to start injecting gas as early as possible, even as early as April, and continue filling until November, to ensure adequate levels for the winter ahead,” he added.
Some comfort
The European development bank said it was unlocking five billion euros ($5.9 billion) to aid economies hit by the Middle East war.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development – founded to help former Soviet bloc nations embrace free-market economies before extending its reach to the Middle East and Africa – said it would “deploy 5 billion euros in 2026 in economies impacted by Middle East conflict”.
Air France extends suspensions
Air France has extended the suspension of flights to key destinations in the Middle East until May 3, citing security risks from the war.
A source close to the company said France’s flagship carrier had made the decision to extend the suspensions before Tuesday’s ceasefire announcement.
American Dollar Exchange Rate