Headline relief is not the same as physical normalization.
2-week ceasefire announced. Brent dropped $13 instantly. But the market is missing the real bottleneck: 172M barrels still sitting on 187 tankers in the Gulf Those cargoes must unload first — that alone could take 14+ days Qatar LNG may not restart for 2+ weeks And even then, will tankers actually enter? Iran still controls the process Saudi + UAE still have ~4M b/d shut in UBS expects only a gradual resumption through Q2 2026. A ceasefire does not equal an open Hormuz. A ceasefire does not equal restored supply. The physical dislocation is still there. Source: UBS, Qasem Al-Ali
This is what really matters for markets.
Source: BCA
Why an Attack on Iran’s Power Grid Would Ripple Across the Region
Iran’s electricity grid is interconnected with several neighboring countries, so disruptions wouldn’t stay contained—they could spread beyond its borders. Key links include: • Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan — import Iranian power • Turkey — two-way grid connection • Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan — tied through energy networks A major disruption could: Cause blackouts or shortages in connected countries Disrupt regional energy trade and markets Increase instability in states relying on Iranian electricity Power grids are interconnected systems, not isolated assets—so impacts are often regional, not just domestic. Source: Dr. Taimoor Zaman Khan, wikipedia
Many scenarios for the end of the Iran war suggest that Tehran will gain permanent control of the Strait of Hormuz
An analysis by JP Morgan suggests that Tehran could raise up to $90 billion a year this way, instantly making Iran one of the wealthiest Gulf economies. Source: ChrisO_wiki
Oil product exports from the Middle East dropped 65% in March compared to February.
However, they may increase going forward. Why? Iran has recently categorized countries as: 1. Friendly; 2. Neutral; and 3. Non-friendly. Friendly countries will have free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while neutral countries will be allowed to pass with a fee. This should enable higher levels of oil and other exports from the Middle East, but possibly still less than in February. Source: BraVoCycles Newsletter
Iranian “missile hit rates against Israel have risen from 3% during the first two weeks of the war to 27%.”
Source: Carl Quintanilla
The Gulf "is now home to both the best-performing global bourse over the past month and the worst"
"Dubai’s main stock index is the world’s worst performer so far in March .. Oman’s benchmark surged to the top of global rankings" Source: Ziad Daoud, Bloomberg
The United Arab Emirates is now planning to open the Strait of Hormuz BY FORCE with OTHER allies, after President Trump said "fend for yourselves!"
WSJ
