Trump’s ‘favorite thing’ is Iranian oil

Hello, this is Leonie Kidd writing to you from London. Welcome to another edition of CNBC’s Daily Open.

Sometimes, two things can be true at the same time. But U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration that he wants to “take Iran’s oil,” while saying a “peace deal could be made fairly quickly” has left markets seeing the glass half empty in early trading this Monday.

The build up of U.S. troops for a potential ground invasion also confuses the news that face-to-face talks could be just days away. A confusing picture for investors, who seem to have chosen to stay broadly risk averse at the start of the week.

“My favorite thing is to take the oil in Iran.” So says U.S. President Donald Trump, as he outlines a potential escalation in the war with Iran that could involve seizing Iran’s energy export hub, Kharg Island. In comments to the Financial Times on Sunday, he compared the action in Iran to the U.S. military operation in Venezuela, but he added that indirect talks with Iran were progressing and that “a deal could be made fairly quickly.”

These comments come as the Pentagon is reportedly preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran. Thousands of American soldiers and Marines are arriving in the Middle East, according to The Washington Post, which cited U.S. officials. 

Together, the reports signal a possible escalation in the Iran war — the fallout of which has already rattled markets and raised fears of broader supply chain disruptions and higher global prices. 

Oil prices are driving higher once again. On Monday, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis fired missiles at Israel following a weekend of attacks, marking the first direct involvement in the war.

Asia-Pacific markets fell sharply on Monday as the Middle East war entered its fifth week, with the conflict escalating despite efforts aimed at finding a diplomatic solution. European and U.S. futures are pointing to a negative open across major markets.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer will hold a roundtable of ministers and senior figures from the business world later on Monday, with The Times reporting that representatives from energy groups BP, Shell and shipping giant Maersk will be in attendance.

Industry leaders also say the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route now being impeded by the war, must reopen by mid-April or supply disruptions could worsen significantly.

In the face of this uncertainty, companies and other organizations are preparing for a world in which the conflict — and the subsequent jolt to crude prices — becomes a long-term challenge, affecting everything from travel planning to mail delivery.

— Leonie Kidd