Trump issues another "48-hour ultimatum", oil prices surge at Monday's opening, gold and US stock futures fall, Japanese and Korean stock markets open higher

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Trump once again issued a threat of launching larger-scale strikes against Iran. International oil prices continued to rise, surpassing $111, and the risks facing the outlook for global economic growth further intensified.

According to CCTV News, on April 5 local time, U.S. President Trump said in an interview that the U.S. is currently engaged in "intensive negotiations" with Iran, and expects to reach an agreement before his set deadline of April 7. Trump said there is a good chance of reaching an agreement, but if an agreement cannot be reached, everything there will be destroyed.

According to Xinhua News Agency, some Trump administration officials believe privately that the U.S. military operation codenamed "Epic Fury" will enter its second phase. Trump's aides have suggested adding Iran's power plants and bridges to the "legitimate military target" list. Defense Secretary Hegseth has advised Trump to bomb highways to make it harder for Iran to transport missile and drone manufacturing materials.

Trump's threats to bomb Iran's infrastructure have worried some Gulf countries, who fear Iran may retaliate by attacking energy infrastructure in the Gulf region.

Influenced by this news, Brent crude oil expanded its gains to 1.55%, quoted at approximately $111 per barrel.

Financial markets reacted differently. U.S. stock futures were down across the board, with Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.02% and S&P 500 futures down 0.18%; Asian stocks opened slightly higher and then extended gains, with the Nikkei 225 up 1.23%; Korea’s Seoul Composite Index up 1.95%. Gold fell 0.87% to about $4636 per ounce, and silver fell 0.88% to about $72 per ounce.

OPEC+ warned that damage to energy facilities in the Middle East would have lasting effects on oil supplies, which would not be easily restored even after the conflict ends.

Singapore's Luminor Bank strategist Homin Lee said: "For investors, the prediction game remains quite tricky. Investor attention will be focused on military actions on both sides of the Persian Gulf, as well as whether shipping conditions in the Strait of Hormuz can be further improved despite these attacks."

Brent Oil Rises

Brent crude oil futures rose 1.55%, quoted at $111 per barrel.

U.S. Stock Futures Slightly Down Across the Board

Nasdaq 100 index futures fell 0.02%, S&P 500 index futures fell 0.18%.

Japanese and Korean Stocks Rise

Nikkei 225 opened up 0.4%, then extended gains to 1.23%; Korea’s Seoul Composite Index opened up 0.9%, then rose further to 1.95%.

Gold and Silver Fall

After Trump threatened to destroy Iran's infrastructure and Tehran showed almost no sign of accepting U.S. demands to end the Middle East war, spot gold fell 0.87%, quoted at $4636 per ounce; spot silver fell 0.88%, quoted at $72 per ounce.

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