Traders Bet $430 Million On Oil Price Drop Moments Before Trump's Latest Iran Ceasefire Extension: Report

Traders reportedly placed bets worthy $430 cardinal on a alteration successful crude lipid prices, conscionable 15 minutes earlier President Donald Trump announced an hold of the ceasefire with Iran connected Tuesday.

This marks the 4th lawsuit of large, well-timed directional lipid bets placed conscionable up of large Iran warfare developments, with April wagers totaling astir $2.1 billion, Reuters reported connected Wednesday. Previously, successful March, traders placed bets amounting to much than $500 cardinal successful the lipid marketplace minutes earlier a important Truth Social station by Trump concerning "productive" Iran talks.

Between 19:54 and 19:56 GMT connected Tuesday, traders sold 4,260 tons of oil, worth a full of $430 million, based connected the prevailing Brent futures price, reported the publication, citing LSEG data. Trump announced the indefinite ceasefire hold astatine 20:10 GMT. These trades occurred during post-settlement hours, a play erstwhile trading volumes are typically precise low.

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At 5:16 americium ET, Brent crude lipid was trading 2.62% higher astatine $104.60 per barrel.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and CME Group did not instantly respond to Benzinga's petition for comments.

On Sunday, the Speaker of the Iranian parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, took a excavation astatine "vibe-trading" successful oil, saying caller marketplace speculation was being driven by Trump's posts connected Iran.

While these strategies whitethorn look clever, Ghalibaf warned that they are built connected unstable foundations. He noted that lipid trading has a tangible anchor successful the signifier of Dated Brent, the benchmark terms for carnal crude oil. However, helium suggested that U.S. Treasury bonds are present priced based connected sentiment and geopolitics, hinting astatine a anemic U.S. fiscal credibility.

— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 19, 2026

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These well-timed trades person besides raised eyebrows backmost home. Investor Peter Schiff has accused Trump of lying astir the concern successful the Middle East and suggested that Trump’s insiders “must person made billions” from the trade. There's besides governmental unit from Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and different lawmakers urging deeper scrutiny into this.