Middle East tensions keep crude oil above $100 amid Strait of Hormuz closure

Middle East tensions have kept crude oil prices above $100/barrel, and the Polymarket contract for crude oil reaching an all-time high by April 30 sits at 3.2% YES, unchanged over the past week.

Market reaction

The crude oil all-time high market reflects traders pricing in a low probability of exceeding the $120/barrel threshold before the end of April. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing military actions haven’t pushed odds higher. The market is thinly traded: $1,020 would move the price 5 percentage points, meaning one sizable order can shift the odds.

The WTI Crude Oil April 2026 market is unlisted, with no visible trading volume. Traders expecting higher volatility or price spikes from escalating tensions may find an entry point there, though the contract appears dormant.

Why it matters

Prices are above $100 but still well below all-time highs. The disruption narrative is real, but it hasn’t produced significant market moves. The muted reaction at 3.2% suggests traders expect neither an immediate resolution to tensions nor a dramatic price spike within the April window.

What to watch

Developments around the Strait of Hormuz and any announcements from OPEC+ or the US administration are the most likely catalysts for a move in either direction. A reopening of the strait would pressure odds lower; further escalation or supply disruption could push them up quickly given how thin the order book is.

API access

Get prediction market intelligence as a structured API feed. Early access waitlist.