Crude futures were mixed on Friday with renewed attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz offset by profit taking and sluggish demand signals.
Brent futures were steady at $87.10 per barrel, while Murban crude futures declined over 2% to $88.05/bbl.
Both benchmarks were headed for weekly gains following two weeks of losses, though crude has shed some of its geopolitical risk premium.
Prices dipped on Thursday, reversing a multi-session rally, as markets weighed mounting signs of sluggish global demand against a larger-than-expected build in US crude stocks.
Analysts at Saxo Bank noted that the recent retreat reflects position-trimming rather than a fundamental shift in supply, particularly as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed leaving regional export capacity constrained.
On the geopolitical front, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company reported that two of its vessels were attacked on Thursday evening while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
The situation is now under control and there were no reported injuries, the company said in a statement.
"What began as a Middle East crude oil supply crisis is turning into a global refined product supply crisis," noted Susan Bell, senior vice president of commodity markets at Rystad Energy.
RBC Capital Markets strategists warned that maritime disruptions are likely to persist despite recurring diplomatic overtures.
Concurrently, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly stated during a press briefing aboard the USS Gridley that the US military can sustain its naval blockade of Iran indefinitely by rotating naval assets, even as the Iranian Foreign Minister issued warnings over ongoing regional escalation.