US Oil Update: Futures Slide Over 4% as Optimism Builds Over US-Iran Talks

Crude oil futures slide by over 4% in midday trading on Tuesday as markets weigh growing optimism over potential progress in US-Iran talks, with both sides continuing to hold off on attacks, easing concerns about further global supply disruptions.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 4.2% to $79.14 per barrel, while Brent futures dropped 4.8% to $84/bbl.

Gelber & Associates strategists said that after recovering over $10/bbl from June's lows, crude now appears to be testing support rather than reversing trend, with the next move likely hinging on whether physical fundamentals strengthen enough to justify another push higher.

On Tuesday, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi hosted separate calls with his Saudi and Omani counterparts to review bilateral and regional issues and stress stronger cooperation and joint diplomacy to restore stability and address US actions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said that talks with Oman over safe shipping via the Hormuz have made good progress, but no change has been made in the status of transit through the strategic waterway.

Earlier on Monday, Baghaei said on Monday that while "it's possible that mediators share messages from the US side about current developments," no formal negotiations are currently taking place.

Meanwhile, President Trump, who called off US military strikes against Iranian targets after a two-week campaign, said that there were "good talks" underway with Iran but threatened to restart strikes unless negotiations deliver.

"There's a good chance that something could happen - and if it does, good. If it doesn't, we go back to what we were doing two days ago," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday.

On the supply front, OPEC+ is projected to pause further increases to its oil production quotas after approving a final scheduled hike in September, as the producer group continues to assess the impact of the Iran conflict on global supply, according to multiple media reports.

The cartel is set to approve an increase of 188,000 barrels per day for September when it meets virtually on Aug. 2.

Traffic through the Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies flowed before the conflict, remains restricted, with the US Central Command saying it has redirected 18 commercial vessels, disabled 2, and boarded 2 to ensure full compliance.

Soojin Kim, research analyst at MUFG, said that while improving diplomatic prospects have reduced the geopolitical risk premium, crude markets remain sensitive to developments in Hormuz, with shipping disruptions and regional security risks continuing to support elevated price volatility.

US Oil Update: Futures Retreat as Middle East, Black Sea Supply Risks Recede

Crude futures plunged in after-hours trading on Monday, pulling back from a multi-session high, as immediate supply threats across key Middle Eastern and Black Sea crude exporting markets began to ease.Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude futures retreated 8.3% to $81.88 per barrel, while Brent futures plunged by 9% to $87.75/bbl.EBW Analytics strategists said on Monday that the market could return to an oversupplied balance if hostilities continue to ease, though risks remain elevated given the potential for the conflict to broaden.The US has held off on new military strikes against Iranian targets since Friday, following 13 straight nights of attacks aimed at degrading Tehran's ability to disrupt commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.Iran, in response, reportedly signaled that it would stop carrying out attacks on its Gulf neighbors as long as the US also refrains from striking, as Tehran held talks with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz.On Monday, the US Central Command said that Washington's ongoing blockade against Iran has redirected 17 commercial vessels, disabled two, and boarded two to enforce compliance.Earlier on Monday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, said that while "it's possible that mediators share messages from the US side about current developments," no formal peace negotiations between Iran and the US are currently taking place.He said talks between Tehran and Muscat have no connection whatsoever with the US and are ongoing.However, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense on Monday intercepted drones from Iraq and Yemen's Houthis targeting its oil facilities.Soojin Kim, research analyst at MUFG, said that although the pause in US military action has eased immediate supply fears, constrained maritime traffic across key export routes suggests geopolitical risk remains elevated.The defense ministry said in a social media post that the Gulf state's air defenses intercepted and destroyed several drones that targeted petroleum facilities in the country's Eastern Province and Riyadh region.On Monday, the Houthis also said they launched drone attacks on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure in response to incursions by the Gulf state's drones.Yahya Saree, the Houthis' spokesperson, said that several targets in the supply and transport of crude oil from eastern Saudi Arabia to Yanbu were struck by several drones.Saudi Arabia has re-routed its crude output to Yanbu via its east-west pipeline to get around Iranian attacks on shipping in the Hormuz.Meanwhile, traffic through the Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies flowed before the conflict, remains restricted, with the latest shipping data showing only 29 confirmed crossings between July 24 and 26.Bab el-Mandeb, by comparison, recorded 100 verified crossings, with 51 vessels entering the Red Sea and 49 exiting.

Saudi Crude Transit Through Bab el-Mandeb Drops Sharply After Houthi Attacks, Kpler Says

Saudi crude exports continue to move through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait despite a sharp drop in transit volumes following Houthi attacks, Kpler said in a Monday note.Before the July 22 attacks, crude cargoes loaded at Saudi Arabia's west coast averaged about 3 million barrels per day through the strait, reflecting regular shipments from Yanbu to Asia.Kpler said the attacks marked an escalation in Houthi targeting of Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea.Since July 22, only six Saudi-loaded crude tankers have crossed Bab el-Mandeb, with transit volumes averaging about 1.5 million b/d over the six days after the attacks.The transit volumes have dropped by almost 50%, although Saudi crude exports have not stopped, according to Kpler.Kpler said it has not confirmed any suspension of Saudi crude loadings from Yanbu or vessel crossings through the strait.The firm said the shipping corridor remains open even as traffic continues at a slower pace.

US Oil Update: Futures Slide Over 4% as Optimism Builds Over US-Iran Talks

Related Articles

US Oil Update: Futures Retreat as Middle East, Black Sea Supply Risks Recede

Attack Hits Khor Mor, Northern Iraq's Largest Khor Mor Gas Field, Iran State Media Says

Saudi Crude Transit Through Bab el-Mandeb Drops Sharply After Houthi Attacks, Kpler Says

Related Articles

Oil & Energy22h ago
US Oil Update: Futures Retreat as Middle East, Black Sea Supply Risks Recede
Crude futures plunged in after-hours trading on Monday, pulling back from a multi-session high, as immediate supply threats across key Middle Eastern and Black Sea crude exporting markets began to ease.Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude futures retreated 8.3% to $81.88 per barrel, while Brent futures plunged by 9% to $87.75/bbl.EBW Analytics strategists said on Monday that the market could return to an oversupplied balance if hostilities continue to ease, though risks remain elevated given the potential for the conflict to broaden.The US has held off on new military strikes against Iranian targets since Friday, following 13 straight nights of attacks aimed at degrading Tehran's ability to disrupt commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.Iran, in response, reportedly signaled that it would stop carrying out attacks on its Gulf neighbors as long as the US also refrains from striking, as Tehran held talks with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz.On Monday, the US Central Command said that Washington's ongoing blockade against Iran has redirected 17 commercial vessels, disabled two, and boarded two to enforce compliance.Earlier on Monday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, said that while "it's possible that mediators share messages from the US side about current developments," no formal peace negotiations between Iran and the US are currently taking place.He said talks between Tehran and Muscat have no connection whatsoever with the US and are ongoing.However, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense on Monday intercepted drones from Iraq and Yemen's Houthis targeting its oil facilities.Soojin Kim, research analyst at MUFG, said that although the pause in US military action has eased immediate supply fears, constrained maritime traffic across key export routes suggests geopolitical risk remains elevated.The defense ministry said in a social media post that the Gulf state's air defenses intercepted and destroyed several drones that targeted petroleum facilities in the country's Eastern Province and Riyadh region.On Monday, the Houthis also said they launched drone attacks on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure in response to incursions by the Gulf state's drones.Yahya Saree, the Houthis' spokesperson, said that several targets in the supply and transport of crude oil from eastern Saudi Arabia to Yanbu were struck by several drones.Saudi Arabia has re-routed its crude output to Yanbu via its east-west pipeline to get around Iranian attacks on shipping in the Hormuz.Meanwhile, traffic through the Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies flowed before the conflict, remains restricted, with the latest shipping data showing only 29 confirmed crossings between July 24 and 26.Bab el-Mandeb, by comparison, recorded 100 verified crossings, with 51 vessels entering the Red Sea and 49 exiting.

Oil & Energy22h ago
Attack Hits Khor Mor, Northern Iraq's Largest Khor Mor Gas Field, Iran State Media Says

Oil & Energy23h ago
Saudi Crude Transit Through Bab el-Mandeb Drops Sharply After Houthi Attacks, Kpler Says
Saudi crude exports continue to move through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait despite a sharp drop in transit volumes following Houthi attacks, Kpler said in a Monday note.Before the July 22 attacks, crude cargoes loaded at Saudi Arabia's west coast averaged about 3 million barrels per day through the strait, reflecting regular shipments from Yanbu to Asia.Kpler said the attacks marked an escalation in Houthi targeting of Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea.Since July 22, only six Saudi-loaded crude tankers have crossed Bab el-Mandeb, with transit volumes averaging about 1.5 million b/d over the six days after the attacks.The transit volumes have dropped by almost 50%, although Saudi crude exports have not stopped, according to Kpler.Kpler said it has not confirmed any suspension of Saudi crude loadings from Yanbu or vessel crossings through the strait.The firm said the shipping corridor remains open even as traffic continues at a slower pace.