-- ホルムズ海峡における二重封鎖とトランプ大統領のイランに対する強硬な発言が、世界的なエネルギー供給ショックの長期化への懸念を煽り、水曜日の時間外取引でEMEA原油先物価格が急騰した。 ブレント原油先物は7.13%上昇し1バレル=119.19ドル、ムルバン原油先物は2.44%上昇し1バレル=109.31ドルとなった。 サクソバンクのストラテジストは水曜日のレポートで、「トランプ大統領は、イランの核開発計画を中止させるためのリスクの高い試みとして、イラン政権の財政を標的とした長期封鎖に備えるよう側近に指示した」と述べた。 トランプ大統領は、イランが核合意に同意するまで海上封鎖を維持すると述べ、封鎖は爆撃よりも効果的であると指摘したと報じられている。米大統領は水曜日、イランに対し「早く賢くなるべきだ」と警告した。 「イランはまともに行動できない。非核合意の署名方法も知らない。早く賢くなるべきだ!」とトランプ大統領はTruth Socialへの投稿で述べた。 中東紛争終結を目指す米イラン協議の第2ラウンドは、両国が交渉で譲歩せず、イランがホルムズ問題と核開発計画を切り離そうとしているため、ここ数日停滞している。 MUFGのリサーチアナリスト、キム・スジン氏は、市場が停滞する米イラン和平協議とホルムズ海峡の事実上の封鎖状態に注目しているため、原油価格は高止まりしていると述べた。 米国の海上封鎖はイランに圧力をかけているようで、イランの原油貯蔵能力が枯渇しつつあるとの報道もあり、減産が加速する可能性がある。 スコット・ベセント米財務長官は、イランの主要石油輸出ターミナルであるハルグ島が貯蔵容量の限界に近づいており、政府は原油生産量の削減を余儀なくされ、イランの石油インフラに損害を与える可能性が高いと述べた。 キム氏は、「イランは貯蔵能力の限界が深刻化しており、さらなる減産を強いられる可能性がある。一方、米国はイラン産原油と関係のある中国の製油所に対する制裁を強化し続けている」と述べた。 また、キム氏は、中東紛争の継続が、アラブ首長国連邦(UAE)が来月OPECを脱退する決定を下すなど、より広範な地域情勢の変化を引き起こしていると指摘した。 INGのストラテジストは、「脱退のタイミングは綿密に計画されていた」と述べ、供給が大幅に混乱している時期に脱退を発表することで、市場への影響を抑えることができると付け加えた。 供給面では、米国で逼迫の兆候が現れ始めており、エネルギー情報局の最新データによると、4月24日までの週の米国の原油在庫は620万バレル減少し、4億5950万バレルとなった。
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Fed Chair Powell Says He Will Remain as Governor for Period of Time After Chair Term Ends
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday at a press conference that he will remain on the Federal Reserve board for a period of time after his term as chair ends on May 15, noting the recent attacks on the Fed and saying that "the things that have happened really in the last three months I think left me no choice but to stay until I see them through at least that long."An investigation into Powell's actions as chair during the remodeling of headquarters at the Fed was halted by the Department of Justice, but it could be reopened if the Fed's inspector general finds wrongdoing, providing uncertainty."I have said that I will not leave the board until this investigation is well and truly over with transparency and finality and I stand by that," Powell said. "I am encouraged by recent developments, and I am watching the remaining steps in this process carefully."Powell said that his decision to remain on board has nothing to do with political comments, but rather his concern about the recent attack on the Fed by the Trump administration."After my term as chair ends on May 15, I will continue to serve as governor for a period of time to be determined," Powell said. "I plan to keep a low profile as a governor. There is only one chair of the Federal Reserve.""I will leave when I think it's appropriate to do so," he added.At the meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee decided to maintain its target rate at a range of 3.50% to 3.75%, but there were dissents in favor of both a lowering of the policy rate by one member and in favor of eliminating the bias toward easing in the statement by three members.
UAE Pushes for Greater Control Over Oil Output, Limited Near-Term Market Impact, RBC Says
The UAE's decision to leave OPEC is unlikely to disrupt oil markets in the near term, but points to a broader strategic realignment as the Gulf producer seeks greater control over its output policy amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, RBC Capital Markets strategists said in a note on Tuesday.The UAE has for years pushed to monetize investments in expanding crude capacity and promoting its Murban benchmark, a strategy that has at times strained relations within OPEC.RBC analysts said disputes over production baselines, including a July 2021 standoff that delayed an agreement for nearly two weeks, underscored friction between the UAE and other members over output quotas.The analysts said the UAE's departure reflects a continuation of these tensions, as the country has consistently sought higher production targets. A subsequent push in 2023 to revise its baseline led to a complex redistribution of quotas, reducing allocations for some African producers.However, despite the policy shift, the UAE is not expected to significantly increase production beyond levels seen in early 2026 once the conflict subsides.The Gulf state has been operating close to its current capacity, and post-war reconstruction demands are likely to temper any rapid supply increases.UAE authorities, in a statement, said it would continue to bring additional barrels to market "in a gradual and measured manner," aligned with demand and prevailing conditions.RBC analysts said this suggests spare capacity within the global system will remain concentrated in Saudi Arabia for the foreseeable future.The move comes at a critical moment in the regional conflict with Iran, which has heightened concerns over energy security, particularly around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.The UAE has been among the most vocal Gulf states opposing any scenario in which Iran maintains influence over the passage, citing repeated drone and missile attacks on its territory.The country's increasingly assertive stance appears to align more closely with Israel than with some Gulf neighbors.RBC analysts expect closer cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Israel on energy security and critical infrastructure once the conflict ends, potentially including joint investments and expanded defense agreements in strategic areas such as the Red Sea.The analyst said the UAE's exit does not signal an imminent fragmentation of OPEC. With no immediate requirement for coordinated production cuts and many member states focused on rebuilding capacity after the conflict, the group is expected to remain broadly intact in the near term.