Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that a planned strike on Iranian targets had been called off, citing a new diplomatic framework that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and address Tehran’s nuclear programme. The post appeared the same day his media company, Trump Media & Technology Group, launched Truth API, a paid service that delivers posts from influential Truth Social accounts to institutional customers in milliseconds. The service, aimed at high‑frequency and algorithmic trading firms, reportedly costs up to $100,000 a month and promises instant access to market‑moving content.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said the United States would begin talks on Monday and that several Middle Eastern governments had urged him to give Diplomacy another chance. “We’re just going to see whether or not we can make a deal,” he added, describing the cancelled operation as the “biggest attack since World War II.” His remarks followed a week of escalating rhetoric. Earlier, Trump had claimed “very friendly negotiations” with Tehran were underway, only to have U.S. forces declared “locked and loaded” and to resume bombing Iranian energy infrastructure. U.S. and Israeli officials reportedly prepared a campaign against Iranian power plants, refineries and other energy assets, heightening fears of a wider energy shock and pushing crude prices toward $90 a barrel.
The sudden reversal triggered a sharp market swing when Asian trading resumed on Monday morning. Brent crude fell more than 7% at the open, while West Texas Intermediate dropped 6.7% to $78.98 a barrel. U.S. stock‑index futures rose as Traders priced in a reduced risk of further escalation and disruption to Gulf energy supplies.
Iran has previously accused Trump of publicising purported diplomatic breakthroughs to lower oil prices and buy time for further military action. Tehran’s foreign ministry has not confirmed any new negotiations with the United States. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said talks with Oman over the waterway’s management were “nearing completion,” while spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei described the discussions as a bilateral matter that “does not concern any other party.” Baqaei added that Iran and Oman were negotiating a new shipping route to replace the existing northern and southern routes, stressing that any agreement “does not mean that the Strait of Hormuz will be opened or remain closed,” a statement that contradicts Trump’s claim that the proposed deal would provide for its “immediate, complete and total” reopening.
Truth Social’s monetisation model has attracted scrutiny because Trump routinely uses the platform to announce abrupt policy shifts that can move stocks, currencies and commodities. Market specialists argue that the direct feed allows well‑equipped firms to process announcements and execute trades faster than retail investors who rely on the public website or app. Policy reversals can be especially lucrative for high‑speed traders, who profit from an initial threat that moves prices in one direction and then rapidly change positions when Trump announces the opposite.
The episode underscores the continuing volatility of global oil markets and the influence of U.S. executive actions on energy supply routes. As the United States and Iran navigate a fragile diplomatic landscape, traders and policymakers alike will watch closely for any further developments that could reshape the Strait of Hormuz’s status and the broader energy market.
