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Omar Tariq
Energy & Commodities Reporter

Oil, gas, metals, and the energy transition. Covered commodities for Bloomberg in London before relocating to cover Asia-Pacific resource flows.

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In an April 1, 2026 report, 22V Research presented a contrarian view that high oil prices stemming from the Iran war could slow demand, thereby helping to lower inflation and extend the current economic cycle.

22V Research sees oil-driven slowdown easing inflation in 2026

In an April 1, 2026 report, 22V Research presented a contrarian view that high oil prices stemming from the Iran war could slow demand, thereby helping to lower inflation and extend the current economic cycle.

On April 1, 2026, shares of Exxon Mobil (XOM) and Chevron (CVX) both experienced a 5% price drop during midday trading.

Exxon and Chevron fall 5% as Iran tensions roil oil market

On April 1, 2026, shares of Exxon Mobil (XOM) and Chevron (CVX) both experienced a 5% price drop during midday trading.

Gold and silver prices rose sharply, with New York gold futures climbing 3% to $4819 per ounce as investors reacted to a complex mix of geopolitical signals and underlying inflation concerns.

Gold prices climb 3% to $4819 on shifting risk sentiment

Gold and silver prices rose sharply, with New York gold futures climbing 3% to $4819 per ounce as investors reacted to a complex mix of geopolitical signals and underlying inflation concerns.

A US-Israeli airstrike on the former US embassy in Tehran, a location controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps since 1979, has caused a more than 3% spike in oil prices.

Oil Prices Spike Over 3% After US-Israeli Airstrike Hits Tehran

A US-Israeli airstrike on the former US embassy in Tehran, a location controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps since 1979, has caused a more than 3% spike in oil prices.

On a podcast on April 1, 2026, IEA Chief Fatih Birol warned that the oil supply shock will be worse in April than in March and stated the IEA is considering another release of strategic oil reserves.

IEA warns of worsening oil supply shock in April, weighs new reserve release

On a podcast on April 1, 2026, IEA Chief Fatih Birol warned that the oil supply shock will be worse in April than in March and stated the IEA is considering another release of strategic oil reserves.

Lightbridge Corporation announced it has received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a patent concerning its metallic fuel assemblies for CANDU reactors.

Lightbridge secures US patent for fuel in 670 MWe CANDU reactors

Lightbridge Corporation announced it has received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a patent concerning its metallic fuel assemblies for CANDU reactors.

OceanaGold's latest drilling at its New Zealand project confirms a significant high-grade gold zone, boosting resource confidence with multiple high-grade intercepts.

OceanaGold firms up high-grade zone with 14.9 m drill result

OceanaGold's latest drilling at its New Zealand project confirms a significant high-grade gold zone, boosting resource confidence with multiple high-grade intercepts.

The UK will host an international conference on April 1 to address the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies.

UK to Host April 1 Conference as Hormuz Closure Chokes Oil Supply

The UK will host an international conference on April 1 to address the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies.

On April 1, 2026, Meg O'Neill, formerly of Woodside Energy, was appointed as the new CEO of BP, becoming the company's third CEO in five years.

BP appoints third CEO in 5 years amid strategic uncertainty

On April 1, 2026, Meg O'Neill, formerly of Woodside Energy, was appointed as the new CEO of BP, becoming the company's third CEO in five years.

PetroChina supplied a rare cargo of nearly 2 million barrels of crude oil from storage in China to its half-owned refinery in Singapore to address supply shortfalls resulting from the Iran war, according to tanker trackers and trade sources.

PetroChina Moves 2 Million Barrels to Singapore as Iran War Strains Supply

PetroChina supplied a rare cargo of nearly 2 million barrels of crude oil from storage in China to its half-owned refinery in Singapore to address supply shortfalls resulting from the Iran war, according to tanker trackers and trade sources.

Shell is in advanced talks with Venezuela's government to develop four large offshore natural gas areas near Trinidad and Tobago.

Shell Eyes Major Venezuela Gas Deal For 4 Offshore Areas

Shell is in advanced talks with Venezuela's government to develop four large offshore natural gas areas near Trinidad and Tobago.

Missile and drone attacks on major aluminum smelters in the UAE and Bahrain have disrupted 4% of global supply, causing prices to spike and flipping the market from a forecasted surplus to a deficit for 2026.

Aluminum Jumps 6% to 4-Year High as Mideast Attacks Spark Deficit Fears

Missile and drone attacks on major aluminum smelters in the UAE and Bahrain have disrupted 4% of global supply, causing prices to spike and flipping the market from a forecasted surplus to a deficit for 2026.

A joint venture led by Amentum has secured a $406 million, 14-year contract to act as the owner's engineer for the United Kingdom's first small modular reactor (SMR) power station at the Wylfa site in North Wales.

Amentum JV wins $406 million contract for UK's first SMR nuclear plant

A joint venture led by Amentum has secured a $406 million, 14-year contract to act as the owner's engineer for the United Kingdom's first small modular reactor (SMR) power station at the Wylfa site in North Wales.

Oil prices plummeted after President Trump suggested the conflict in Iran could soon end, easing fears of a prolonged supply disruption.

Brent crude oil falls 4% below $100 as Trump signals end to Iran war

Oil prices plummeted after President Trump suggested the conflict in Iran could soon end, easing fears of a prolonged supply disruption.

Standard Chartered's Global Head of Commodity Research, Suki Cooper, stated that the recent approximate 12% decline in gold prices, occurring since the start of the Middle East conflict, is a short-term effect driven by liquidity demands and cooling expectations of US Federal Reserve rate cuts, not a fundamental change in its safe-haven status.

Standard Chartered says gold's 12% drop is a buying opportunity

Standard Chartered's Global Head of Commodity Research, Suki Cooper, stated that the recent approximate 12% decline in gold prices, occurring since the start of the Middle East conflict, is a short-term effect driven by liquidity demands and cooling expectations of US Federal Reserve rate cuts, not a fundamental change in its safe-haven status.

The price of Gold broke above the 4,600 level during the week of April 1, 2026, following a market correction in Q1.

Gold price breaks 4,600 as Q2 becomes a battleground

The price of Gold broke above the 4,600 level during the week of April 1, 2026, following a market correction in Q1.

Gold prices rose to a near two-week high on March 31, 2026, as the U.S. dollar weakened amid hopes for a resolution to the conflict in Iran.

Gold price nears 2-week high as US dollar slides on Iran news

Gold prices rose to a near two-week high on March 31, 2026, as the U.S. dollar weakened amid hopes for a resolution to the conflict in Iran.

On March 31, 2026, several Chinese jewelry brands raised their pure gold jewelry prices to over RMB 1,400 per gram, with LFX pricing its jewelry at RMB 1,448 per gram.

Chinese gold jewelry prices surge over 1,400 yuan per gram

On March 31, 2026, several Chinese jewelry brands raised their pure gold jewelry prices to over RMB 1,400 per gram, with LFX pricing its jewelry at RMB 1,448 per gram.

The USDA's 2026 Prospective Plantings report, released March 31, 2026, indicates U.S. farmers intend to plant 95.3 million acres of corn (-3% YoY) and 84.7 million acres of soybeans (+4% YoY), a shift attributed to rising nitrogen fertilizer costs resulting from higher natural gas prices caused by the Iran war that began in late February 2026.

US Farmers to Plant 3% Less Corn, 4% More Soybeans Amid War-Driven Costs

The USDA's 2026 Prospective Plantings report, released March 31, 2026, indicates U.S. farmers intend to plant 95.3 million acres of corn (-3% YoY) and 84.7 million acres of soybeans (+4% YoY), a shift attributed to rising nitrogen fertilizer costs resulting from higher natural gas prices caused by the Iran war that began in late February 2026.

The UAE is preparing to assist the US militarily in opening the Strait of Hormuz, a move that follows an attack on a Kuwaiti oil tanker and has pushed Brent crude prices to over $115 a barrel.

UAE Backs US Military Action in Hormuz as Oil Nears $116

The UAE is preparing to assist the US militarily in opening the Strait of Hormuz, a move that follows an attack on a Kuwaiti oil tanker and has pushed Brent crude prices to over $115 a barrel.

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