Brent Rises as Markets Weigh US Naval Escort Plan

Brent crude oil futures rose to around $82 per barrel on Wednesday, extending its advance for a fourth session, as traders assessed a US proposal to provide naval escorts for tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump said the US International Development Finance Corporation would insure vessels to help keep energy and trade flowing, with naval escorts available if needed. The move comes amid mounting disruptions following the closure of a key waterway. Still, uncertainty persists as hostilities entered a fifth day, with Israel launching a broad wave of strikes. Iraq, a major oil producer, has also begun halting operations at some of its largest fields, a step that could sharply reduce national output. Meanwhile, data from the API showed US crude inventories rose by 5.6 million barrels last week, adding to the previous week’s 11.4 million-barrel surge and exceeding expectations for a 2.19 million-barrel build.

Brent crude eased toward $80 per barrel on Tuesday, paring massive gains as President Trump’s pledge to provide naval escorts for tankers in the Strait of Hormuz calmed immediate supply panic. While prices surged over 8% earlier in the session following drone strikes on Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura refinery and fires at the UAE hub in Fujairah, the military commitment to ensure the free flow of energy triggered a sharp reversal from daily peaks. Despite the retreat, oil remains at June highs as shipping activity through the Persian Gulf remains stalled and insurers withdraw war-risk coverage. This logistical paralysis limits the relief from the escort announcement, as roughly one-fifth of global consumption remains at risk. Furthermore, the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader and the subsequent 4-day escalation of strikes on Gulf energy hubs continue to fuel volatility. Markets now focus on the resilience of UAE air defenses against a barrage of Tehran-backed missiles.

Oil prices continued to rise on Tuesday, with Brent crude futures trading near $84 a barrel, the highest level since July 2024, extending an over 6% gain from the previous session. The escalating conflict with Iran is disrupting fuel shipments and raising concerns about further supply disruptions across Middle East oil and gas markets. Yesterday, Aramco halted operations at Saudi Arabia’s largest oil refinery in Ras Tanura on the Persian Gulf coast following a drone strike. Today, falling debris from an intercepted drone triggered a major fire at the UAE oil-trading hub of Fujairah, although normal operations have since resumed. Meanwhile, Iran has not officially closed the Strait of Hormuz, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated the country has no intention of doing so. Nevertheless, shipping activity through the narrow strait has largely halted, and many insurers are planning to withdraw war-risk coverage for vessels entering the Persian Gulf.