Sterling fell against the US Dollar on Monday as risk aversion supported demand for the Greenback, linked to rising conflict involving Iran. GBP/USD was at 1.3366, down 0.28% at the time of writing.
Oil prices jumped after the escalation, rising 11% and then easing back. Earlier in Monday’s Asian session, oil had gained nearly 30%.
Risk Aversion And Volatility Outlook
Given the renewed risk aversion and flight to the US Dollar, we should anticipate heightened volatility in the coming weeks. Implied volatility on GBP/USD options has likely surged, reflecting the uncertainty from the oil shock and the Iran conflict. We are seeing the CME’s GBP/USD Volatility Index (CVOL) jump from around 7.5% last week to over 10% today, its highest level in four months.
For a directional view, we should consider buying GBP/USD put options to gain exposure to further downside with a defined risk. The UK’s position as a net energy importer makes the Pound particularly vulnerable to this oil price surge, especially since the latest UK inflation data from February 2026 showed a stubborn CPI at 3.4%. This contrasts with the US, which is better insulated and whose economy is performing more strongly.
Looking back, this situation is a stark reversal from the sentiment we saw developing throughout 2025. Last year was characterized by a steady disinflationary trend, which led markets to price in coordinated interest rate cuts from both the Bank of England and the Federal Reserve by mid-2026. This geopolitical flare-up completely disrupts that narrative, forcing a repricing of risk across the board.
The strength of the US Dollar is a key part of this trade, supported by its safe-haven status and a robust domestic economy. The most recent Non-Farm Payrolls report, released just last Friday, showed the US added a strong 245,000 jobs, keeping the Federal Reserve in a much better position to hold rates firm compared to its peers. Therefore, we should also evaluate long US Dollar positions against other energy-importing currencies, not just the Pound.
Energy Markets And Options Positioning
We must also look directly at the energy markets, as this is the source of the instability. Volatility in WTI and Brent crude futures is extreme, and using options strategies like straddles, which profit from large price movements in either direction, could be prudent. We remember well how oil futures spiked over $120 a barrel during the 2022 conflict, and the current market structure suggests traders are positioning for the possibility of similarly sharp moves.
