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by Stockwatch Business Reporter

West Texas Intermediate crude for May delivery added 54 cents to $112.95 on the New York Merc, while Brent for June lost 50 cents to $109.27 (all figures in this para U.S.). Western Canadian Select traded at a discount of $33.50 to WTI, down from a discount of $31.90. Natural gas for May added six cents to $2.87. The TSX energy index added 5.04 points to close at 424.63.

Oil traders were on edge ahead of the latest deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. If Iran does not do so by 8 p.m. Washington time (3:30 a.m. in Tehran), then "a whole civilization will die tonight," threatened Mr. Trump. Iran has shown no sign of acceding. It has ignored numerous similar ultimatums lately from Mr. Trump, who has repeatedly extended his deadlines while citing what he has called productive negotiations with Iran, talks that Tehran has denied ever taking place. "Another TACO moment for Trump is more likely than Iran backing down, and this is probably what's preventing markets from going into meltdown," opined Trading Point lead analyst Raffi Boyadjian to Reuters, referencing the popular acronym for "Trump Always Chickens Out."

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