The price of oil has shot up again above 100 dollars per barrel after the increase in tensions in the Iran war and the registered attacks against oil tankers in the Gulf region.
During the day, Brent, the international crude oil benchmark, registered increases close to 10%, which has once again placed energy markets at the center of the concern of investors and governments.
Fear of naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz
The analysts warn that maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important energy routes in the world, could take time to normalize if the deployment of naval mines is confirmed.
Experts cited by the specialized service Montel News assure that oil tankers could need mine-sweeper escorts to guarantee their safe passage through the area.
Through this maritime route circulates approximately one fifth of the oil that is consumed in the world, which turns any incident into a key factor for energy prices.
The markets fear an escalation of the conflict
The increase in geopolitical tensions is raising volatility in energy markets.
According to Charu Chanana, chief investment strategist at Saxo Markets, the crisis no longer affects only the oil supply.
“The disruption in Iraq shows that the problem is not only production, but also transport security and the increase in logistical costs,” the analyst pointed out in statements reported by Bloomberg.
Oil accumulates strong increases in 2026
So far this year, both Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) have accumulated increases of over 60%, driven by the war in the Middle East and the partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Some analysts even warn that the price of crude oil could reach 150 dollars per barrel if the conflict prolongs for several months and real supply deficits occur.
Impact on inflation and global growth
The International Monetary Fund estimates that a sustained 10% increase in energy prices could raise global inflation by 0.4 percentage points and reduce economic growth by between 0.1% and 0.2%.
For this reason, markets are closely following any signal about the evolution of the conflict in the Middle East.
United States announces the release of strategic reserves
Given the sharp rise in crude oil prices, the president of the United States, Donald Trump, has announced that he will resort to the strategic petroleum reserve to try to stabilize the market.
Washington plans to release 172 million barrels, as part of a plan coordinated with the countries of the International Energy Agency (IEA) which contemplates releasing up to 400 million barrels of global reserves.
According to the executive director of the IEA, Fatih Birol, the measure seeks to respond to “a disruption of the energy market of an unprecedented magnitude.”