Global Oil Markets Tumble After Trump’s Announcement!

International oil prices plunged sharply after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a delay in attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure and power facilities. However, what has drawn global attention is a massive trade worth nearly $580 million (around ₹5,400 crore) executed just minutes before the announcement. The sudden spike in activity in oil markets has raised serious questions over whether it was a coincidence or a case of insider trading.

Within a single minute, between 6:49 and 6:50 AM New York time, nearly 6,200 futures contracts linked to Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate were traded, with investors betting on falling oil prices and rising equity markets. About 15 minutes later, Trump’s statement triggered a sell-off in energy markets, leading to a steep decline in oil prices while equity markets in the U.S. and Europe moved higher. Although such trading can sometimes occur based on geopolitical expectations, the unusual timing and scale have fueled speculation about potential insider trading, though no concrete evidence has emerged so far.