Kamal Ghorui
Oil prices rose sharply on Friday as tensions in the Middle East intensified, with the US launching more strikes on Iran, fueling concerns over the energy supply flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude, the global benchmark, climbed 7.8% to $109.03 per barrel after soaring beyond the $111 per barrel mark. At the same time, WTI crude oil futures for near-term delivery next month recorded their largest-ever premium over second-month contracts, rising to $111.54, up 11.41%. Earlier in the session, the US Crude had jumped beyond the $113 per barrel mark. Meanwhile, the spot price for Brent crude oil for immediate physical delivery surged even higher, to a whopping $141.36, hitting highest level since the 2008 financial crisis, according to S&P Global data, cited by CNBC. The spot price reflects demand for cargoes scheduled for delivery within the next 10 to 30 days.The latest surge builds on an earlier rally in oil markets, which saw prices swing sharply during the previous session. Prices had initially fallen as traders reacted to uncertainty ahead of Donald Trump’s national address, but rebounded after his remarks did little to ease concerns over the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier in the day, Brent crude had dropped $1.16 to $100 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate fell $1.41 to $98.71. Sentiment later shifted, with Brent rising more than 4% to $106 and WTI climbing 3% to $103 following the speech.This comes as Iran continues to choke the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting shipping flows through the strategically important passage that normally handles about a fifth of global oil trade during peacetime.The ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, now nearing the end of its fifth week, has removed millions of barrels per day from global supply, pushing energy prices to multi-year highs and triggering fuel shortages in countries dependent on oil and gas shipments through the now-blocked Strait of Hormuz.Around 20% of global oil flows through the strategic chokepoint. In a Wednesday evening address, Trump vowed to hit Iran “extremely hard” in coming weeks but did not outline a plan to reopen the strait, suggesting instead that other nations should take responsibility for restoring shipping access.
