{
  "id": 6396131,
  "title": "Oil hits $100 as Houthi attacks and US strikes on tankers stoke supply fears",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/oil-hits-100-as-houthi-attacks-and-us-strikes-on-tankers-stoke-supply",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T07:38:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/energy/2026/09/09/oil-hits-100-as-houthi-attacks-and-us-strikes-on-tankers-stoke-supply-fears/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Brent crude oil prices reached the $100 mark on Thursday as attacks on Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure and US strikes on Iranian crude carriers fueled concerns about the tightening of global oil supplies. The international benchmark Brent crude rose 2.14% to $100.02 a barrel, while the US benchmark West Texas Intermediate gained 1.80% to $94.70 a barrel. Following the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' attack on a US warship with ballistic missiles, US forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers in the Gulf of Oman, while Iranian state media reported explosions on Kharg Island, a main crude export hub.\n\nThe US Central Command (Centcom) stated that they ordered crews to abandon ship before their vessels were struck and rendered inoperable. This comes after the sinking of three Iranian tankers on Saturday due to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' attempts to attack a US aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Iran would lose tankers every time they retaliate.\n\nIn response to the US strikes, Iran claimed to have targeted two US naval vessels, eight oil tankers, and 10 other ships in the Gulf, accusing them of violating a designated \"unsafe\" zone around the Strait of Hormuz. Jordan's armed forces stated that their air defense systems engaged 20 ballistic missiles fired towards the country from Iranian territory, successfully intercepting and destroying 18 of them. Iran has threatened further attacks on commercial vessels, warning tanker crews in Bahrain and Kuwait to leave their vessels immediately to avoid being targeted.\n\nThe recent string of tit-for-tat strikes between the US and Iran has broken a lull in attacks. Brent oil prices have risen more than 60% this year, and Goldman Sachs has raised its oil price forecasts, stating that risks remain significantly tilted to the upside. Analysts at Goldman Sachs Group believe that the markets are increasingly pricing a prolonged Mideast conflict. Additionally, Iran-backed Houthi militants attacked Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure, including its 400,000 barrel-a-day Jazan refinery, and have blocked Saudi Arabia's ports and restricted the flow of crude oil transiting through the Bab El Mandeb strait. This complicates global energy supply dynamics and adds to concerns about the ongoing conflict in Iran.",
  "summary": "Brent crude hit $100 a barrel mark as fresh attacks on Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure and US hits on Iranian crude carriers stocked fears of further tightening of global oil supplies. Brent, the international benchmark, rose 2.14 per cent to $100.02 a barrel at 11.35am UAE time, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate gained 1.80 per cent to $94.70. US forces destroyed five Iranian crude…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "India condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi oil installations",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/india-condemns-houthi-attacks-on-saudi-oil-installations",
        "published": "2026-09-09T06:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}