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- WTI Oil prices retreat as speculation grows that Washington may halt the conflict with Iran, easing fears of prolonged supply disruptions.
- Markets remain cautious as attacks on shipping and military movements continue to threaten energy flows in the Persian Gulf.
- Investors now await the American Petroleum Institute Crude inventory report, with a 1.3 million barrel draw expected.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) US Oil trades around $99.60 on Tuesday, down 2.30% on the day at the time of writing, ending a four-day winning streak as markets react to signs that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could ease.
The pullback comes after reports that US President Donald Trump signaled to aides that he may be willing to halt the campaign against Iran, even if the Strait of Hormuz remains partially closed. According to the Wall Street Journal, such a move could reduce the risk of prolonged disruptions to global Oil supply, prompting traders to lock in profits after the recent rally.
Despite the decline, analysts warn that the drop may prove temporary. A sustained fall in Oil prices would likely require a full restoration of shipping flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy trade. Any continued restrictions on maritime traffic in the region could keep a geopolitical risk premium embedded in Oil prices.
Recent developments underline the fragile security environment in the Persian Gulf. Reports indicate that Iran struck a Kuwaiti Oil tanker near a Dubai port, highlighting the growing risks facing energy shipments. At the same time, Iran-backed Houthi forces have intensified attacks linked to the regional conflict, raising concerns about potential disruptions in the Red Sea as well.
Analysts at Rabobank note that geopolitical tensions remain the dominant driver of market volatility. The bank warns that renewed attacks on Red Sea shipping could push Oil prices toward $140 per barrel if supply disruptions escalate.
Meanwhile, the surge in energy costs is already feeding into consumer prices. Data cited by Reuters from GasBuddy show that the national average gasoline price in the United States rose above $4 per gallon on Monday for the first time in more than three years, reflecting the impact of geopolitical tensions on fuel markets.
Higher fuel prices are becoming an increasingly sensitive political issue ahead of the November midterm elections, as they put additional pressure on household budgets already strained by persistent inflation.
Attention now turns to the American Petroleum Institute (API) Weekly Crude Oil Stock report due later Tuesday. Markets expect a draw of about 1.3M barrels after last week’s 2.3M barrel build, a data point that could provide further direction for short-term Oil price movements.
