Significant developments concerning the Strait of Hormuz have driven sharp price increases in gold, silver, and crude oil during trading sessions. Former President Donald Trump recently voiced strong criticism, stating he is "very disappointed with NATO." He further commented that the United States "no longer needs, nor expects" assistance from NATO nations, and that the same applies to Japan, Australia, and South Korea, adding, "We simply don't need anyone's help."

Earlier in the day, crude oil, gold, and silver all opened lower but then surged sharply, turning positive by the time of reporting.

WTI crude oil also briefly turned positive after having fallen more than 1%.

In U.S. equity markets, the three major indices posted modest gains in the previous session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.1% to close at 46,993.26 points, the S&P 500 increased 0.25% to 6,716.09 points, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.47% to 22,479.53 points.

Regarding U.S.-listed Chinese stocks, the Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index declined 0.73%. Tencent Music Entertainment Group fell over 24%, and AtRenew Inc. dropped nearly 5%.

Market focus remains on the impact of the Strait of Hormuz on global energy supplies. In the early hours of the 18th, local time in Tehran, U.S. Central Command announced that several hours earlier, U.S. forces successfully used multiple 5,000-pound deep-penetration munitions to destroy fortified Iranian missile launch sites near the coast of the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. military stated that anti-ship cruise missiles at these sites posed a threat to international shipping in the strait. As of now, Iranian authorities have not yet responded.

Additionally, the U.S. government plans to further ease sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector to boost crude production amid rising oil prices fueled by tensions with Iran. Related measures, which could be announced as early as this week, may include issuing individual licenses to more foreign companies, allowing them to participate in Venezuela's oil business without violating U.S. sanctions.

Informed sources indicated that this move aims to stimulate growth in Venezuela's crude oil production, thereby alleviating tight global energy supplies. Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council, noted that tankers have "begun sporadically transiting" the Strait of Hormuz. He suggested that if necessary, the scale of a globally coordinated release of strategic petroleum reserves could be expanded. Regarding the conflict with Iran, Hassett assessed that it would "end shortly" and not drag on for months, stating that "4 to 6 weeks is the baseline scenario, and we are currently ahead of schedule."

During a meeting with visiting Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin at the White House on March 17, former President Trump reiterated his dissatisfaction with NATO allies for not participating in a proposed U.S.-led "escort operation" in the Strait of Hormuz, expressing that he is "very disappointed with NATO." Trump affirmed that the U.S. "no longer needs, nor expects" help from NATO countries, applying the same sentiment to Japan, Australia, and South Korea, and emphasized, "We simply don't need anyone's help."

However, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, stated on a social media platform that the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its pre-conflict state.