Surge in global betting on energy markets seen on Monday morning 15 minutes prior to Donald Trump’s Truth Social post announcing ‘productive’ talks with Iran

A surge in betting on global oil markets just 15 minutes before Donald Trump announced a temporary halt to his airstrikes on Iran this week has sparked claims of insider trading.

Trump said on his Truth Social platform at 7.05 a.m. Monday: “I am please [sic] to report that the United States of America, and the country of Iran, have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East.”

Iran denied any such talks had taken place, branding them “fake news”.

But according to Bloomberg, at least 6 million barrels of Brent and West Texas Intermediate were suddenly sold between 6.49 a.m. and 6.51 a.m, raising suspicions that word of the president’s announcement was leaked in advance.