Oil and gas prices rise as Trump warns of harsh US action on Iran, boosting shares of BP, Shell, and Centrica.

Shares of BP, Shell, and Centrica rose on the FTSE 100 following a speech by US President Donald Trump, who threatened to hit Iran "extremely hard" in the coming weeks to end the conflict. Brent crude oil prices jumped 6.5% to $107.75 a barrel, and US West Texas Intermediate rose 6.2% to $106.32 a barrel, while UK and European natural gas prices also increased. Trump stated that US forces would complete their objectives in Iran within two to three weeks and warned of severe consequences if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. This escalation has heightened geopolitical risks, pushing energy prices higher and impacting related stocks. The likelihood of the Strait reopening by the end of April has dropped significantly, reflecting increased tensions and uncertainty in the region.