European natural gas futures dropped to €42.2 per MMBtu on Friday, giving up part of the previous session’s gains on expectations for a Middle East peace deal that could ease supply disruptions. President Donald Trump said the next meeting between the US and Iran could take place over the weekend, expressing confidence that the conflict may be nearing an end. Adding to this, a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel took effect on Thursday. However, control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for roughly one-fifth of global LNG flows, remains contentious, with a US blockade of Iranian ports still in place. Traders also said the decline in prices was triggered by Asian countries cutting demand, including China, which has reduced competition for LNG cargoes. In addition, analysts noted the world’s largest LNG facility in Qatar is unlikely to return to full operations until August, even if restart efforts begin in May.
