Il prezzo del petrolio sale oltre i 90 dollari mentre Stati Uniti e Iran si scambiano il fuoco e gli Houthi minacciano un blocco navale in Arabia Saudita - Business live

Oil prices surged past $90 per barrel on Monday as tensions escalated in the Middle East following renewed clashes between the United States and Iran, alongside threats from the Houthi rebels targeting Saudi Arabia's maritime infrastructure. The Brent crude benchmark climbed nearly 2% to $90.92, driven by fears of disrupted oil flows and heightened geopolitical uncertainty. The developments come amid broader market volatility, with US stocks opening higher and UK defense shares seeing a notable uptick following the appointment of former Defence Secretary John Healey as Chancellor. The conflict intensified overnight when the US launched airstrikes against Iranian targets in southern Iran, responding to the deaths of several American service members in recent combat operations. Hours earlier, President Donald Trump had warned that Iran would face severe consequences for the casualties. In retaliation, Iran struck US facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, escalating regional hostilities. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports suggested a commercial tanker was hit near the Strait of Hormuz by an unidentified projectile, prompting the crew to evacuate via lifeboats. This incident added to concerns over the security of critical shipping lanes through the region. Compounding these tensions, the Houthi group issued a warning of a potential naval blockade on Saudi Arabian ports, further threatening the uninterrupted flow of oil exports from the kingdom. Such a move could disrupt supply chains and exacerbate existing pressures on global markets already grappling with reduced production from key oil-producing nations. Analysts warn that the combination of military confrontations and strategic threats could prolong instability, leading to sustained upward pressure on oil prices. In London, the FTSE 100 index opened slightly lower, reflecting broader economic anxieties, but defense sector stocks saw a sharp rebound. Babcock International rose 4%, and BAE Systems gained 2.4%, fueled by speculation that Chancellor John Healey might prioritize increased defense spending. Investors anticipate that Healey, drawing on his previous advocacy for “defence bonds,” could seek additional funding for the armed forces. However, market analysts caution that the new Chancellor faces numerous competing priorities, particularly as the incoming Prime Minister focuses on broader fiscal commitments. Separate developments included legal action between pharmaceutical giants Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, with Novo alleging false advertising regarding Lilly’s weight-loss medications. The dispute centers on comparative claims in Lilly’s marketing campaigns, which Novo argues misrepresent the efficacy of its products by using lower dosages. This legal battle highlights ongoing competition within the rapidly expanding weight-loss drug industry. Meanwhile, the London Stock Exchange announced plans to introduce 24-hour trading, aiming to enhance liquidity and attract more international investors. Other financial updates included a modest VAT reduction on electricity bills, which campaigners described as beneficial but insufficient to address broader energy affordability issues. Grocery inflation also eased to 2.6%, marking the lowest rate since early 2024, offering a slight reprieve for consumers. As the situation in the Middle East continues to evolve, markets remain sensitive to further escalations, with oil prices likely to remain volatile in the coming days. Investors will closely monitor both military developments and policy decisions, as they shape the trajectory of global financial conditions.