BRENT — BRENT CRUDE PLUNGES 9% TO BELOW $89/BBL AS MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS SHOW SIGNS OF EASING

Brent crude prices tumbled by as much as 9% on Monday, with the international benchmark dropping to $88.00 per barrel before settling near $89.42. The sharp decline followed a temporary pause in US military strikes against Iran, which eased market fears of wider supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz and lifted broader risk appetite.