Oil prices surged to their highest level in four weeks on Tuesday as renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran disrupted tanker traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns over global energy supplies.
Brent crude futures climbed 3.29% to $86.04 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 2.83% to $80.35, both reaching levels not seen since mid-June. The move extended a sharp rebound that began after hopes for a lasting peace agreement faded over the weekend.
The latest rise followed a 9.6% jump in Brent during the previous session, its largest one-day gain since May 2020. Traders reacted after Washington restored its naval blockade of Iranian shipping and proposed a 20% fee for vessels using the waterway. The U.S. also carried out a third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, which responded with attacks on military sites and commercial vessels. Two United Arab Emirates tankers were hit in Omani waters, according to the UAE Ministry of Defence, resulting in the death of one Indian sailor and injuries to eight crew members.
Shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz dropped to a two-month low as vessel operators assessed the growing security risk. The route carries about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. MarineTraffic recorded 57 transits from Friday through Sunday, down more than 50% from the previous week, compared to roughly 130 vessels per day before the conflict escalated in late February. Iran declared the strait closed “until further notice,” while Washington said military escorts kept oil moving.
Market analysts said the next price move would hinge on whether tanker traffic and export volumes fall further. Priyanka Sachdeva of Phillip Nova noted that a prolonged drop in vessel movement could push oil prices higher, but prices could ease if crude shipments continue through the strait. ANZ analyst Soni Kumari placed oil in an $85-to-$90 range if disruptions persist, while TD Securities strategist Bart Melek warned that Brent could approach $100 if signs of a physical shortage emerge.
Meanwhile, Iran’s oil minister said the country’s crude exports were operating normally despite the end of a U.S. sanctions waiver. Yemen’s Houthi movement also fired missiles at Saudi Arabia after accusing the kingdom of bombing an airport under its control. In a separate development, China’s June crude imports fell 41.3% to their lowest level in almost a decade, and refinery activity reached a 10-year low amid weak domestic demand and export limits.
