Shell has reported better than expected profits of $6.9bn (£5bn) after its oil traders reaped the benefits of soaring energy prices during the war in Iran, angering climate campaigners.

Higher oil and gas prices during the Middle East conflict helped Europe’s biggest oil and gas company post a 115% jump in first-quarter profits from the $3.2bn reported in the last three months of 2025, easily surpassing the $6.4bn forecast by City analysts.

Shell’s chief executive, Wael Sawan, said the company’s profits were gained through its “relentless focus on operational performance in a quarter marked by unprecedented disruption in global energy markets”.

The disruption to oil and gas flows through the strait of Hormuz caused the international crude price to climb from about $61 a barrel in January to highs of $119 at the end of March, and again at the end of April.

Oil prices plunged below $100 a barrel on Wednesday on hopes of a peace deal between the US and Iran, although the market price remains more than 50% higher than last year.

The increase in oil prices helped BP to last week report better than expected profits of $3.2bn for the first quarter, more than double the $1.38bn it made in the same period last year.

The company credited “exceptional oil trading” for its highest quarterly profit since 2023, triggering an immediate backlash from campaign groups and calls for tougher windfall taxes on fossil fuel profits.

Shell’s profit rise reignited calls for taxes to fund support for the households hardest hit by the rise in costs.

Anne Jellema, the executive director of the climate campaign group 350.org, said: “While people around the world struggle with soaring energy costs, Shell is raking in billions in added profit. The same crisis that is driving these windfalls is pushing millions closer to hunger and hardship.

“Governments must act now to tax these excess profits and use the money to protect vulnerable households and expand affordable, homegrown renewable energy.”