Coin Circle News: Driven by rising oil prices amid the fighting, Saudi Aramco’s net profit after adjustments in the first quarter was nearly 126 billion riyals (about $33.6 billion), up 26% year-on-year and higher than analysts’ expected 109 billion riyals. The increase in earnings was boosted by a sharp jump in oil prices in March. After the US-Iran conflict led to disruptions to passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the international benchmark Brent crude oil price rose by more than 43% that month. Although one of the world’s most important global energy shipping routes was blocked, which hindered the transportation of large quantities of Saudi crude oil, Saudi Aramco began redirecting some of its export cargoes to ports for onward shipment in the Red Sea as an alternative. In addition, Saudi Aramco said its east-west oil pipelines have been brought into full operation, with shipping capacity increased to 7 million barrels per day; the east-west pipelines help ease the impact of the global energy shock.