Brent Crude Oil Futures

Oil Prices Rise as Iran and Israel Trade Strikes, Lowering Hopes for a End to the Middle East War

Oil prices rise early on Monday as Iran launched missile strikes on Israel on the weekend while Israel responded with strikes of its own despite U.S. pressure to refrain from retaliating.West Texas Intermediate crude oil for July delivery was last seen up US$0.85 at US$91.30 per barrel, while August Brent oil was up US$1.18 at US$94.27.The rise comes as Iran on the weekend launched strikes on Israel to deter Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon and end its attacks on Beirut in its war on the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group. Citing Iranian state media, the Wall Street Journal reported Iran is ending further strikes, the first between the two countries since April. Israel ignored pressure from U.S President Trump to not respond and preserve a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East war.The renewed hostilities are testing the two-month ceasefire between Iran and the United States, while talks between the two countries are stalled due to Iran's insistence Israel first must end its war in Lebanon. The fighting is lowering hopes for a peace deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, freeing up the oil exports from Persian Gulf nations that supplied 20% of daily oil demand and ending the largest-ever supply shock."Oil has once again moved towards the upper end of its established trading range after Israel and Iran resumed exchanging fire. Despite repeated optimism from the US administration, a lasting peace agreement appears increasingly elusive. The near closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to tighten global energy markets, with several oil majors warning that the window before physical shortages begin to emerge may be measured in weeks rather than months," Saxo Bank noted.OPEC+ on the weekend agreed to raise July export quotas by 188,000 barrels per day, but the measure is having little market effect since with much of its members' supply capacity remains trapped within the Persian Gulf. Russia's quota has been raised to 9.82 million barrels per day, according to Rystad Energy, but the country's shipment are at only 9.2-million bpd due to Ukrainian attacks on the country's oil infrastructure"With the Strait of Hormuz closed, the issue is not whether OPEC+ raises paper quotas, but whether additional barrels can actually reach the market. OPEC+'s decision to continue increasing production by 188,000 barrels per day for June confirms that the group remains on track to unwind the first tranche of voluntary cuts by September, if not earlier. But in the current market, the physical impact of such a decision would be close to zero," Rystad noted.

Update: WTI Oil Falls Even as Israel Continues Striking Lebanon Despite Ceasefire Deal

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil closed down 2.7% on Friday with little change in the outlook for a settlement to the U.S. war on Iran as Israel continued strikes at Lebanon despite reaching a ceasefire with the country a day earlier.WTI crude oil for July delivery closed down US$2.50 to settle at US$90.54 per barrel, while August Brent oil was last seen down US$1.99 to US$93.04.Oil fell more than 3% on Thursday after reports Israel and Lebanon agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, one of Iran's key demands for agreeing for a deal of its own to end the war with the United States and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The key Strait has been closed since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, blocking the 20% of daily oil demand supplied by Persian Gulf nations.Peace talks between the United States and Iran that could open the waterway have been stalled and a ceasefire was tested earlier this week as the two sides traded strikes. The Israel-Lebanon agreement was seen as a potential avenue to reopening negotiations, however Al Jazeera on Friday reported Israel is continuing attacks in Lebanon, raising doubts the deal will hold, while Iran on Friday fired warning strikes at U.S. warships.The lack of Persian Gulf supply has left the Asian nations struggling to replace the lost barrels, while U.S. exports have surged, cutting into its inventories."Crude oil trades softer but remains near the upper end of Brent's recent USD 90-100 range after the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire announcement. The move follows another day of US and Iranian military action across the region. While flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain severely disrupted, global supply buffers continue to shrink. In the US, a sixth consecutive weekly inventory draw saw stockpiles at Cushing, the delivery hub for WTI futures, fall to 22.4 million barrels, edging closer to levels widely considered near the operational minimum," Saxo Bank said in a Thursday note.

July WTI Crude Oil Contract Closes Down US$2.50; Settle at US$90.54 per Barrel

Oil Edges Lower Even as Israel Continues Striking Lebanon Despite Ceasefire Deal

Oil prices edged lower early on Friday with little change in the outlook for a settlement to the U.S. war on Iran as Israel continued strikes at Lebanon despite reaching a ceasefire with the country a day earlier.West Texas Intermediate crude oil for July delivery was last seen down US$0.33 to US$92.71 per barrel, while August Brent oil was down US$0.44 to US$94.59.Oil fell more than 3% on Thursday after reports Israel and Lebanon agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, one of Iran's key demands for agreeing for a deal of its own to end the war with the United States and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The key Strait has been closed since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, blocking the 20% of daily oil demand supplied by Persian Gulf nations.Peace talks between the United States and Iran that could open the waterway have been stalled and a ceasefire was tested earlier this week as the two sides traded strikes. The Israel-Lebanon agreement was seen as a potential avenue to reopening negotiations, however Al Jazeera on Friday reported Israel is continuing attacks in Lebanon, raising doubts the deal will hold, while Iran on Friday fired warning strikes at U.S. warships.The lack of Persian Gulf supply has left the Asian nations struggling to replace the lost barrels, while U.S. exports have surged, cutting into its inventories."Crude oil trades softer but remains near the upper end of Brent's recent USD 90-100 range after the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire announcement. The move follows another day of US and Iranian military action across the region. While flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain severely disrupted, global supply buffers continue to shrink. In the US, a sixth consecutive weekly inventory draw saw stockpiles at Cushing, the delivery hub for WTI futures, fall to 22.4 million barrels, edging closer to levels widely considered near the operational minimum," Saxo Bank said in a Thursday note.

Update: WTI Falls as Israel and Lebanon Reach a Ceasefire Deal, Easing the Way to a Potential U.S.-Iran Truce

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil closed down 3.1% on Thursday as Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire, one of Iran's key demands for agreeing for a deal of its own to end the war with the United States and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.WTI crude oil for July delivery was last seen down US$2.98 to settle at US$93.04 per barrel, while August Brent oil was last seen down US$3.53 to US$94.28.Reuters reported Israel and Lebanon's truce agreement is contingent on the evacuation of Iran-backed Hezbollah militants leaving southern Lebanon and ending its fight against Israel, which has taken control of the country's south.The deal may raise the odds of the United States and Iran will come to an agreement to end their war, which is now in its fourth month and flared up again this week. Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz at the start of the war, choking off most oil exports from the Persian Gulf nations that supplied a fifth of daily demand.The lack of Persian Gulf supply has left the Asian nations struggling to replace the lost barrels, while U.S. exports have surged, cutting into its inventories."Crude oil trades softer but remains near the upper end of Brent's recent USD 90-100 range after the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire announcement. The move follows another day of US and Iranian military action across the region. While flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain severely disrupted, global supply buffers continue to shrink. In the US, a sixth consecutive weekly inventory draw saw stockpiles at Cushing, the delivery hub for WTI futures, fall to 22.4 million barrels, edging closer to levels widely considered near the operational minimum," Saxo Bank noted.

Oil Prices Fall as Israel and Lebanon Reach a Ceasefire Deal, Easing the Way to a Potential U.S.-Iran Truce

Oil prices retreated early on Thursday as Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire, one of Iran's key demands for agreeing for a deal of its own to end the war with the United States and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.West Texas Intermediate crude oil for July delivery was last seen down US$2.98 to US$93.04 per barrel, while August Brent oil was down US$2.97 to US$94.84.Reuters reported Israel and Lebanon's truce agreement is contingent on the evacuation of Iran-backed Hezbollah militants leaving southern Lebanon and ending its fight against Israel, which has taken control of the country's south.The deal may raise the odds of the United States and Iran will come to an agreement to end their war, which is now in its fourth month and flared up again this week. Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz at the start of the war, choking off most oil exports from the Persian Gulf nations that supplied a fifth of daily demand.The lack of Persian Gulf supply has left the Asian nations struggling to replace the lost barrels, while U.S. exports have surged, cutting into its inventories."Crude oil trades softer but remains near the upper end of Brent's recent USD 90-100 range after the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire announcement. The move follows another day of US and Iranian military action across the region. While flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain severely disrupted, global supply buffers continue to shrink. In the US, a sixth consecutive weekly inventory draw saw stockpiles at Cushing, the delivery hub for WTI futures, fall to 22.4 million barrels, edging closer to levels widely considered near the operational minimum," Saxo Bank noted.

Market Chatter: Oil Falls After Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Even as Clashes Persist

Oil fell as a conditional ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon offered to ease the way toward a US-Iran peace deal, even as the truce was marred by ongoing clashes, Bloomberg reported Thursday.Brent futures retreated 2.2% below US$96 a barrel in thin trading volumes, snapping three days of gains in London. Still, Iran said there had been no recent progress in talks with the US over an interim peace deal, while fighting persisted in Lebanon despite Washington's declaration of a ceasefire subject to Tehran-backed Hezbollah stopping hostilities.Washington and Tehran have sketched out a framework to extend their truce by two months and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but negotiations are stalling and sporadic fighting has resumed. Iran insists a deal with the US requires a ceasefire in Lebanon but Trump said he'd like to keep the two separate.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally, and/or from other media sources. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Brent Crude Down 2% at Near US$95.80

Update: WTI Oil Rises Again as the United States and Iran Trade Strikes

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil rose for a third day on Wednesday as the ceasefire between Iran and the United States appeared to fracture as the two sides exchanged strikes, lowering hopes for a deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.WTI oil for July delivery closed up US$2.26 to settle at US$96.02 per barrel,, while August Brent oil was last seen up US$1.88 to US$97.88.The Wall Street Journal reported Iran launched attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain and the United States attacked Iran's military ground control stations on Qeshm Island and struck at an empty oil tanker attempting to run its blockade of Iranian ports and load oil at Iran's Kharg Island.The strikes are lowering hopes for an end to the war that is now in its fourth month. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz since the war began on Feb. 28 has shut in most exports from the Persian Gulf nations that supplied a fifth of daily oil demand. While U.S. President Trump has claimed a deal to end the war is near, Iran on Monday said it is refusing further talks until Israel ends its attacks ol Lebanon."Crude oil is trading higher for a third consecutive session, with Brent pushing above USD 97 as market pessimism once again grows over the prospects of a US-Iran deal that could pave the way for a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The latest escalation saw US forces intercept Iranian missiles and drones before striking an Iranian command center in response. For now, the risk premium continues to be partly offset by President Trump's repeated insistence that an interim agreement remains within reach," Saxo Bank noted.Dwindling U.S. inventories are also supporting prices. In its weekly survey, the Energy Information Administration reported U.S. commercial oil inventories fell by eight-million barrels last week, double the consensus estimate among analysts polled by Reuters for a four-million barrel drop.

July WTI Crude Oil Contract Closes Up US$2.26, Settles at US$96.02 per Barrel

Oil Rises Again as the United States and Iran Trade Strikes

Oil prices rose for a third day early on Wednesday as the ceasefire between Iran and the United States appeared to fracture as the two sides exchanged strikes, lowering hopes for a deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.West Texas Intermediate crude oil for July delivery was last seen up US$1.92 per barrel, while August Brent oil was up US$2.09 to US$98.09.The Wall Street Journal reported Iran launched attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain and the United States attacked Iran's military ground control stations on Qeshm Island and struck at an empty oil tanker attempting to run its blockade of Iranian ports and load oil at Iran's Kharg Island.The strikes are lowering hopes for an end to the war that is now in its fourth month. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz since the war began on Feb. 28 has shut in most exports from the Persian Gulf nations that supplied a fifth of daily oil demand. While U.S. President Trump has claimed a deal to end the war is near, Iran on Monday said it is refusing further talks until Israel ends its attacks ol Lebanon."Crude oil is trading higher for a third consecutive session, with Brent pushing above USD 97 as market pessimism once again grows over the prospects of a US-Iran deal that could pave the way for a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The latest escalation saw US forces intercept Iranian missiles and drones before striking an Iranian command center in response. For now, the risk premium continues to be partly offset by President Trump's repeated insistence that an interim agreement remains within reach," Saxo Bank noted.Dwindling U.S. inventories are also supporting prices. In its weekly survey, the American Petroleum Institute report U.S. oil stocks fell by 6.75-million barrels last week, the seventh-straight weekly drop and well more than the consensus estimate for a drop of 3.6-million barrels, according to Investing.com. The Energy Information Administration will release official inventory data later on Wednesday morning.

Brent Crude Up 3% at US$98.90 and NY Crude Up 3.3% at US$96.90

Update: WTI Oil Rises Again as Iran Reviews U.S. Peach Deal

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil closed higher on Tuesday, rising off session lows following reports Iran is considering a new U.S. peace deal to end the war, a day after prices surged after the two sides appeared to be on the brink of resuming hostilities.WTI crude oil for July delivery closed up US$1.60 to settle at US$93.76 per barrel, after earlier touching US$90.12. August Brent oil was last seen up US$1.01 to US$95.99.Prices surged 5.5% on Monday after the United States and Iran traded strikes while Iran said it was refusing to continue talks on a peace deal as long as Israel continued its attacks on Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. However Reuters on Tuesday reported Iran is considering a fresh U.S. proposal to end the war and reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz, citing Iranian media, while U.S. President Trump said on Monday talks were continuing."Crude oil continues to trade from one headline to the next, making it increasingly difficult for traders to maintain conviction beyond a few hours. On Monday, prices posted their biggest one-day gain in a month after rebounding from a six-week low when Iranian officials reportedly halted negotiations with the US in protest over Israel's expanded military operations in Lebanon. President Trump later sought to calm markets by insisting talks remained ongoing and that he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, although the two sides offered differing accounts of the conversation. Beneath the headline-driven volatility, global energy markets continue to tighten," Saxo Bank noted.Toril Bosoni, the head of the International Energy Agency's oil industry and markets division, on Tuesday said global oil inventories could fall to critical levels as summer demand rises while stocks fall with the the Middle East war keeping 14-million barrels per day of Persian Gulf supply off the market with the Strait of Hormuz blocked, Bloomberg reported.The IEA official said the agency expects reopening the key Strait will likely take at least six months to fully restore Persian Gulf exports once a peace deal is reached, forcing higher prices to prompt demand destruction as importing countries hunt for supply.

July WTI Crude Oil Contract Closes Up US$1.60; Settles at US$93.76 per Barrel

Oil Falls on Reports Iran is Considering a Fresh U.S. Peace Offer

Oil prices fell early Tuesday following reports Iran is considering a new U.S. peace deal to end the war, a day after prices surged after the two sides appeared to be on the brink of resuming hostilities.West Texas Intermediate crude oil for July delivery was last seen down $1.23 to US$90.93 per barrel, while August Brent oil was down $1.30 to US$93.68.Prices surged 5.5% on Monday after the United States and Iran traded strikes while Iran said it was refusing to continue talks on a peace deal as long as Israel continued its attacks on Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. However Reuters on Tuesday reported Iran is considering a fresh U.S. proposal to end the war and reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz, citing Iranian media, while U.S. President Trump said on Monday talks were continuing."Crude oil continues to trade from one headline to the next, making it increasingly difficult for traders to maintain conviction beyond a few hours. On Monday, prices posted their biggest one-day gain in a month after rebounding from a six-week low when Iranian officials reportedly halted negotiations with the US in protest over Israel's expanded military operations in Lebanon. President Trump later sought to calm markets by insisting talks remained ongoing and that he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, although the two sides offered differing accounts of the conversation. Beneath the headline-driven volatility, global energy markets continue to tighten," Saxo Bank noted.Toril Bosoni, the head of the International Energy Agency's oil industry and markets division, on Tuesday said global oil inventories could fall to critical levels as summer demand rises while stocks fall with the the Middle East war keeping 14-million barrels per day of Persian Gulf supply off the market with the Strait of Hormuz blocked, Bloomberg reported.The IEA official said the agency expects reopening the key Strait will likely take at least six months to fully restore Persian Gulf exports once a peace deal is reached, forcing higher prices to prompt demand destruction as importing countries hunt for supply.

NY Crude Down 0.9% at US$91.30 and Brent Crude Down 1% at US$94

Brent Crude Down 1.4% at US$93.65

Update: WTI Oil Rises Off a Six-Week Low on Renewed Hostilities Between the United States and Iran

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) on Monday surged 5.5% Monday, climbing off a six-week low on heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, dimming expectations for a peace deal in a war now entering its fourth month that has caused the largest-ever oil supply shock.The rise comes after the United States over the weekend attacked Iranian military sites, while The Guardian reported Iran on Monday targeted a U.S. military base in Kuwait and said it will discontinue negotiations until Israel ends its war on Lebanon, pushing oil prices up from a six-week low.The hostilities have dimmed prospects for a end to the war that began on Feb. 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, which responded by blockading the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that is the chokepoint for 20% of daily oil demand supplied by Persian Gulf countriesThe price of the commodity rose well above US$100 per barrel in April as the war blocked exports from the Gulf, but have since moderated on hopes the apparently suspended talks between the two countries hosted by Qatar would produce a deal that reopens the Strait, while some of the region's exporters have found alternatives to tanker shipments and demand has weakened due to high prices."Traders continue to price in the likelihood that any agreement could trigger a near-term surge in supply from vessels currently stranded inside the Persian Gulf. By now, it is also clear that several key release valves have helped prevent an even larger price spike. These include a sharp increase in US oil exports, a slump in Chinese crude imports, the use of UAE and Saudi Arabian pipeline infrastructure that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, strategic petroleum reserve releases, and weaker end-user demand through a combination of demand destruction and use of domestic stockpiles," Saxo Bank noted.

July WTI Crude Oil Contract Closes Up US$4.80; Settles at US$92.16 per Barrel

Oil Rises Off a Six-Week Low on Renewed Strikes Between the United States and Iran

Oil prices rose early on Monday, climbing off a six-week low as Iran and the United States traded attacks, dimming expectations for a peace deal in a war now entering its fourth month that has caused the largest-ever oil supply shock.West Texas Intermediate crude oil for July delivery was last seen up US$3.09 to US$90.45 per barrel after falling to the lowest since April 17 on Friday, while August Brent oil was up US$2.62 to US$93.74.The rise comes after the United States over the weekend attacked Iranian military sites, while The Guardian reported Iran on Monday targeted a U.S. military base in Kuwait.The hostilities have dimmed prospects for a end to the war that began on Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel launched strike on Iran, which responded by blockading the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that is the chokepoint for 20% of daily oil demand supplied by Persian Gulf countries.The price of the commodity rose well above US$100 per barrel in April as the war blocked exports from the Gulf, but have since moderated on hopes talks between the two countries hosted by Qatar will produce a deal that reopens the Strait, while some of the region's exporters have found alternatives to tanker shipments and demand has weakened due to high prices."Traders continue to price in the likelihood that any agreement could trigger a near-term surge in supply from vessels currently stranded inside the Persian Gulf. By now, it is also clear that several key release valves have helped prevent an even larger price spike. These include a sharp increase in US oil exports, a slump in Chinese crude imports, the use of UAE and Saudi Arabian pipeline infrastructure that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, strategic petroleum reserve releases, and weaker end-user demand through a combination of demand destruction and use of domestic stockpiles," Saxo Bank noted.