Article

Brent crude oil since April first touched 117 USD, as US-Iran tensions reach a "tipping point"

BlockBeats reports that,October 24, amid continued tensions in the Middle East, international oil prices rose sharply on Friday. Brent crude reached an intraday high of 117.45 USD/barrel, marking April the first time since it broke above 117 USD, and ultimately closed at 116.72 USD, representing a monthly gain of more than 10%.

The rise in oil prices was mainly driven by expectations that the US-Iran conflict could escalate again. Trump suggested on Friday that the United States might launch another military strike against Iran, while also saying that the fighting could end quickly. According to reports, the US and Israeli militaries have drawn up plans to strike Iran again after the US November midterm elections, but Trump has not yet decided whether to approve them. Potential targets include Iran's missile and drone arsenals, energy infrastructure, and nuclear facilities.

Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that two supertankers struck mines in the Strait of Hormuz, carrying a combined total of more than 4500000 barrels of crude oil; the claim has yet to be independently verified. Reuters also reported that Iran had prepared plans to attack undersea communications cables in the Gulf region in response to a possible new round of US-Israeli attacks.

The energy shock is spreading to financial markets. The US 5-year breakeven inflation rate rose to 2.47%,10-year Treasury yield rose to 4.99%, while the S&P 500 index fell 0.5%on Friday. Analysts warned that if the conflict spirals out of control and causes severe damage to critical oil infrastructure, international oil prices could rise further toward 150 USD/barrel.

Original link https://m.theblockbeats.info/flash/373500