[MARKET ANALYSIS] Energy remains buoyed after WSJ reported that Trump is preparing for an "extended blockade"

WTI and Brent began the European morning with very mild gains, and have continued to extend higher. WTI topped the USD 102/bbl mark, to make a peak at USD 102.57/bbl (vs trough of USD 98.42/bbl); Brent resides near peaks at USD 114.28/bbl, which also marks the WTD high.
Focus remains on the US-Iran situation, which, as it stands, does not appear to be moving towards peace. A WSJ article overnight, citing sources, suggested that President Trump told officials to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran, attempting to squeeze Iran’s economy. This will ultimately guide traders to price in the possibility of long-term disruptions to energy, and hence explains the strength in energy this morning.
Most recently, President Trump posted on Truth Social that “Iran can’t get their act together. They don’t know how to sign a non-nuclear deal. They better get smart soon!”. Alongside this, an AI image of himself holding a rifle, with explosions behind him, the accompanying caption read "NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!". A post which spurred about a bucks worth of upside in the complex.
Focus also remains on the UAE, after it announced it will be exiting OPEC/OPEC+ from May, after joining back in 1967. The UAE has been in dispute with the cartel for a number of years, complaining that its production had been restricted to around 2.95m bpd, vs plans to reach 5mln bpd by 2027. The immediate impact of the exit has been limited so far (given the current geopolitical risks), but the long-term implications are significant; theoretically, the UAE can now bring more oil to the market, whilst simultaneously reducing OPEC’s sway in the market – for reference, the UAE made up circa. 12% of total OPEC output. It is worth noting that Bloomberg’s Bercetche highlighted that "more UAE accounts on X teasing another big announcement today".
Spot gold is a touch lower this morning and currently resides towards the lower end of a USD 4,568-4,610/oz range. As has been the case, the yellow metal has been subdued by the stronger USD and inflationary implications of the war in Iran. Today’s focus will be on the Fed Policy Announcement, which is widely expected to leave rates unchanged at 3.50-3.75%, with focus squarely on Chair Powellʼs guidance, as policymakers assess the inflationary impact of the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
Base metals are mixed; 3M LME Aluminium is a touch firmer this morning, alongside strength in 3M LME Copper, whilst Palladium and Nickel move lower. 3M LME Copper holds above the USD 13k/t mark, within a USD 13,026-13,155.93/t range. Copper has advanced as Chinese fabs replenished stockpiles ahead of the Labor Day holiday, with restocking supporting prices and some buyers viewing recent declines on global growth concerns as an opportunity.