FTSE 100 Edges Up Ahead of Iran Deadline

European stocks mixed as oil prices surge and Trump threatens Iran

Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:49am

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An extreme close-up of interlocking metal gears and pipes, representing the complex financial systems and infrastructure that are being impacted by geopolitical tensions over energy supplies.As tensions escalate over Iran's role in global energy markets, the machinery of international finance and trade faces an uncertain future.Washington Today

Stock prices in Europe opened mixed on Tuesday, with another surge in the oil price grabbing the spotlight as a peace deadline imposed by US President Donald Trump on Iran edges closer. The FTSE 100 index opened up just 4.00 points at 10,440.29, while the FTSE 250 and AIM all-share also saw modest gains.

Why it matters

The volatility in global markets reflects the high stakes surrounding the Iran situation, with Trump threatening to destroy Iranian infrastructure if a deal is not reached. This geopolitical tension, combined with rising oil prices, is creating uncertainty for investors across Europe.

The details

The FTSE 100 opened up 0.04% at 10,440.29, while the FTSE 250 rose 0.2% and the AIM all-share gained 0.7%. The CAC 40 in Paris rose 0.4%, but Frankfurt's DAX 40 shed 0.1%. In the US, the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all saw gains on Monday. Yields on 10-year and 30-year US Treasuries ticked higher. Gold fell slightly, but oil prices surged, with Brent crude reaching $111.24 per barrel and WTI at $114.82.

  • On Monday, US President Donald Trump said the military had war plans to destroy all bridges and power plants in Iran over a four-hour period if his peace deal deadline is not met.
  • Trump previously set 8:00 pm Washington time on Tuesday (midnight GMT) for Iran to agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who has imposed a deadline on Iran to agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face military action.

Panmure Liberum

An investment research firm that commented on the surge in demand for WTI crude oil as Asian and European refiners compete to replace supplies lost due to the conflict.

Deutsche Bank

An investment bank whose analysts commented that the latest US jobs data will reinforce the notion that the Federal Reserve is in a 'wait-and-see' mode as risks to its dual mandate have come into closer balance.

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What they’re saying

“We have a plan - because of the power of our military - where every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 o'clock tomorrow night, where every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding and never to be used again. I mean complete demolition by 12 o'clock (midnight), and it'll happen over a period of four hours - if we wanted to.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

“Demand for WTI has surged as competition between Asian and European refiners for crude supplies heats up to replace supplies lost to the conflict.”

— Panmure Liberum, Analysts

“We expect that the latest data, particularly the decline in the unemployment rate to 4.26%, will reinforce the notion that the Fed is in wait-and-see mode and that risks to the two sides of the dual mandate have come into much closer balance – if they aren't already balanced.”

— Deutsche Bank, Analysts

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The volatility in global markets reflects the high stakes surrounding the Iran situation, with Trump threatening to destroy Iranian infrastructure if a deal is not reached. This geopolitical tension, combined with rising oil prices, is creating uncertainty for investors across Europe.