U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a fiery prime-time address late last night, vowing to hit Iran "extremely hard" in the coming weeks unless Tehran reopens the Strait of Hormuz and meets key demands. The stark warning triggered an immediate surge in Brent crude prices, amplifying fears of broader disruptions in global energy supplies.

Speaking directly to the nation, Trump claimed U.S.-led operations have nearly achieved "core strategic objectives," including dismantling Iran's missile, drone, and naval assets. He set a tight deadline of April 6 for Iran to restore access to the vital shipping lane or risk strikes on power grids and water plants, framing it as a push to revert Tehran "back to the stone age". This rhetoric counters Iranian denials of seeking a ceasefire, amid disputed U.S. intelligence on Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

Brent crude leaped over 4-5% to more than $106 a barrel post-speech, rebounding from recent lows around $99 and posting one of its sharpest single-day gains. Traders cited heightened risks to the Strait of Hormuz, which handles 20% of the world's oil flow—echoing the 2019 tanker crisis that spiked prices 10% in hours. In India, where Middle East imports dominate, this could inflate petrol and diesel costs by ₹2-4 per liter if tensions persist, straining household budgets and exporters alike.

Initial market optimism faded into caution, with Asian stocks slipping while energy firms gained ground. Trump nodded to backchannel diplomacy but insisted on total compliance, leaving observers questioning if a swift resolution is realistic. For energy-hungry economies like India's, the volatility highlights the urgency of diversifying sources beyond the Gulf.