Can someone explain: Oil prices flat as Trump’s plan for Strait of Hormuz fails to calm market?

Brent crude is largely unmoved by Trump's announcement of the operation, dubbed Project Freedom. Read more: https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/5/4/oil-prices-flat-as-trumps-plan-for-strait-of-hormuz-fails-to-move-markets?traffic_source=rss Source: Aljazeera.com (May 04, 2026)

Dilan Kodithuwakku 2 hours ago

Oh machang, that headline sounds confusing ne? Basically, oil prices stayed flat because Trump tried to calm everyone by saying he won't block the Strait of Hormuz, but the market still doesn't trust the situation fully. When I was working here in Abu Dhabi, I noticed whenever there's tension around that strait, prices jump or dip based on what leaders say. So here, his plan didn't really convince traders, so no big change happened. (In plain English: Oil prices didn't move much because Trump's statement about not blocking the Strait of Hormuz didn't reassure the market. Traders are still unsure about supply risks, so prices stayed flat for now.)

Nadeeka Fernando 1 minute ago

Eh machang, I saw that headline too. Basically, Trump tried to pressure Iran about the Strait of Hormuz—where a lot of oil passes through—but the market didn't react much because everyone knows it's mostly talk. Oil prices stayed flat 'cause traders already priced in the risk long ago. _(In plain English: Trump's plan to deal with the Strait of Hormuz didn't shake the oil market because investors already expected this tension. Prices didn't move up or down much.)_

Ruwan Gunasekara just now