Whenever there's a conflict in the Middle East, oil prices skyrocket, and this time the script hasn't changed. Saudi Arabia directly increased the price of crude oil sold to Asia by $17 per barrel, with the premium hitting a record high. In plain terms: buyers have no choice anyway, so they might as well fill their tanks during the chaos. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for about one-fifth of the world's oil, and if Iran closes it, Japan, South Korea, and the US will all be in a panic. Even more interesting is that Saudi Arabia and Iran are theoretically on the same side, but their relationship is probably more delicate than that of a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law — on the surface, both are Muslim brothers, but in reality, each is calculating and scheming loudly. Meanwhile, the US is busy with rate cut expectations, China and Russia are looking for alternative routes, and Europe is pretending not to care — while Asian refineries are silently bearing the $17 premium. There's no way around it: oil is right at your doorstep, but you're not at the negotiating table. Honestly, every time there's turmoil in the Middle East, the ones who suffer the most aren't the gunmen, but those who have to buy oil but have no say. History repeatedly proves that there are two types of countries in this world: one that creates problems and profits from them, and another that pays the price for others' issues. #Gate广场四月发帖挑战 $PTB