Oil Prices Pare Gains

2026-05-18 12:15 By Joana Taborda 1 min. read

WTI crude futures eased toward $105 per barrel on Monday after briefly climbing above $108 earlier in the session, as Iranian media reported that the US had proposed a temporary waiver of oil sanctions pending a final agreement.

Still, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East remain elevated, with the Strait of Hormuz largely closed and the Trump administration maintaining its blockade of Iranian ports.

US President Trump wrote on social media: “For Iran, the clock is ticking, and they better get moving FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!” At the same time, Tehran said it continues to engage in talks with the US through Pakistan.

Over the weekend, energy infrastructure across the Persian Gulf also came under attack, including a nuclear facility in the United Arab Emirates, adding to concerns over regional stability and potential supply disruptions.



News Stream
WTI Crude Falls Below $100
WTI crude oil futures fell more than 5% to below the $100 per barrel mark on Wednesday on fresh hope that supply from the Middle East could be gradually restored. US President Trump stated the US was on the final stages of talks with Iran over their conflict, backing early statements that Tehran could end the war quickly. An agreement would likely end each country's naval blockade of commercial vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz, which has suspended tanker flows through the chokepoint since March. Optimism on supply was magnified by satellite data showing three supertankers crossing the Strait, potentially reflecting a looser grip on traffic. The Persian Gulf would typically supply economies with around 20 million barrels of oil per day, and the war triggered a surge in prices that topped at $120 per barrel in March. Consistently, crude oil inventories fell for the fourth straight week, and the US SPR was depleted by 10 million barrels, standing a 6.6% annual decline.
2026-05-20
Crude Oil WTI is down by 4.1%
Crude Oil WTI decreased 4.1% to 99.877 USD/Bbl
2026-05-20
Oil Prices Fall for 2nd Day
WTI crude futures fell for a 2nd straight session to around $100 per barrel on Wednesday, as traders grew cautiously optimistic that the US and Iran could reach an agreement, despite conflicting signals from both sides. US President Trump said the conflict with Iran could end “very quickly,” while also warning that Washington could resume strikes if negotiations fail. Trump had recently called off a planned US attack scheduled for Tuesday as part of efforts to advance a potential deal. Iran threatened to extend the conflict ‘beyond the region’ if the US and Israel resume attacks. Meanwhile, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to support oil prices and although some vessels have resumed transit, the key shipping route remains largely restricted. Reports indicated that three supertankers carrying crude departed the Strait on Wednesday. In the US, crude oil inventories fell for a 4th straight week. Oil prices remain roughly 50% above levels seen before the conflict began.
2026-05-20