Oil prices set for weekly gain as US-Iran hostilities intensify

Oil prices are anticipated to climb weekly as U.S.-Iran hostilities escalate, increasing worries about Middle East supply disruptions. Brent crude futures declined by 47 cents, or 0.49%, to $95.05 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures dropped by 64 cents, or 0.70%, to $90.66 per barrel. Nonetheless, Brent increased by 6.5% for the week, marking its largest weekly gain since August 17, while WTI posted its strongest weekly performance since July 13.

Intense clashes between the two nations, with U.S. attacks claiming dozens of lives, including Iranian civilians, since July, signal the most severe hostilities since the conflict's inception seven months ago. Israel's Defense Minister emphasized Israel's intention to cripple Iran's military and civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities.

A U.S. strategy to curtail Iran's economy by blocking its oil exports and evading sanctions is becoming increasingly challenging to overcome. Despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, tanker flows have not entirely halted. Iran's oil exports surged in August, reaching approximately 2.34 million barrels per day, up from about 1.35 million bpd in July.

Analysts are growing more optimistic about prices due to the heightened risk perception from the renewed hostilities and the Strait of Hormuz's potential impact.