40 ARTICLES
Iran signals that a deal on the Strait of Hormuz is within reach, but tensions persist following an attack on an Emirati oil tanker. Markets are reacting to the uncertainty.
WTI crude oil fell more than 10 percent over the week after traders priced in the possibility of the Strait of Hormuz reopening, but a full resolution has yet to materialise, according to OilPrice.com.
Iran and Oman are, according to Iranian authorities, in the final stages of negotiations over joint management of the Strait of Hormuz – one of the world's most critical oil corridors. Meanwhile, crude oil prices are falling.
The conflict in Iran has choked oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz and triggered a global refinery shock — with record-high margins and renewed geopolitical inflation fears pushing rate expectations higher.
China and Russia have moved from diplomatic support to direct military and intelligence assistance to Iran — with potentially far-reaching consequences for the conflict in the Middle East and global stability.
Oil prices are falling sharply following signals of a possible diplomatic resolution with Iran, while Japanese yen interventions are creating turbulence in currency markets. Experts believe lower energy prices could relieve pressure on central banks.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard reportedly fired a cruise missile at an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz – on the same day Trump claims a Hormuz deal is done and nuclear talks are set to begin.
OPEC+ members have agreed to increase oil production quotas from September, a move that could push prices even lower in a market already marked by risk aversion.
According to unconfirmed reports, the US and Israel are preparing their heaviest air strikes yet against Iranian power plants and refineries. Oil prices are already reacting.
Iran claims to have carried out drone strikes against American military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain, sending oil prices higher and increasing the risk profile across global markets.
Iran fired ballistic missiles at American bases in Jordan on July 28 – and according to experts, parts of the war effort are being financed through a state-run crypto system worth nearly $7.78 billion.
Asian equity markets are broadly lower following negative sentiment on Wall Street, rising oil prices, and geopolitical unrest. At the same time, demand for dollar-pegged stablecoins in the region is accelerating markedly.
Oil prices rise after Iran attacked US forces and rejected an Omani proposal for shared passage through the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world's most critical energy corridors.
Chevron is reported to have held direct talks with the Trump administration about protecting the company's massive oil production in Kazakhstan from being drawn into the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, according to the Wall Street Journal.
After the US halted airstrikes against Iran, oil prices plunged more than 6 percent, while equity and crypto futures opened the week with clear gains.
Chinese researchers this week unveiled an ambitious plan to integrate artificial intelligence across the entire lifecycle of a new nuclear energy system. The question is whether AI can meet nuclear power's zero-tolerance requirement for errors.
Technology stocks collapsed on Thursday as oil prices surged to $100 a barrel. Investors fled risk assets in one of the year's most severe market selloffs.
Just one oil tanker passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday — the lowest number since May. War risk is pushing crude oil prices back above $100 a barrel.
Brent crude has surpassed $100 per barrel, triggering a broad global bond sell-off as fears of sustained inflation weigh on interest rate markets.
The gold price has fallen dramatically from record levels near $5,500 per ounce to around $4,160 since the Iran conflict escalated. Experts believe the decline offers a historic entry point for investors.
The Russian central bank has sold 43.5 tonnes of gold during the first half of 2026 – the lowest reserve level since the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
Iran has fired a new wave of ballistic missiles and drones at Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and Iraq. Oil and dollar prices react immediately with sharp gains.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard reiterates its demand for a complete halt to oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Shipping traffic has fallen dramatically, and LNG exports have been brought to a near-total standstill.
Ukrainian drone strikes have reduced Russian crude oil processing to its lowest level in 21 years. Now Russia's export ban on diesel is sending shockwaves through global energy markets.
China's June trade surplus beat all expectations at $125.62 billion, driven by a rush of exporters and importers scrambling to get ahead of new tariff barriers.
Despite years of energy decoupling efforts, the EU imported more Russian liquefied natural gas in the first half of 2026 than ever before – paying billions to Moscow as the clock ticks down toward the 2027 ban.
New military strikes in the Middle East sent oil prices sharply higher on Monday, while U.S. stock index futures pulled back. Markets are shifting into a clear risk-off mode.
New American airstrikes against Iran are pushing oil prices higher and raising fears of reduced throughput in the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint for the world's oil supply.
American forces have carried out new strikes against Iranian targets, and the entrenched conflict in the Persian Gulf is sending shockwaves through global commodity markets.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard has announced that the Strait of Hormuz is closed until further notice. The move could send oil prices and shipping costs soaring — and deal a severe blow to global energy supply.
The CEO of Italian oil company Eni warns that oil prices could break through the $100 barrier in 2027 if tensions in the Middle East persist. Experts point to serious consequences for global inflation and financial markets.
Skipstrafikken gjennom Hormuzstredet er nesten lammet, men Iran finner andre veier for handel – via kryptovaluta og digitale rubler som omgår vestlige sanksjoner.
Extreme heat is pushing European rivers to the brink and threatening nuclear power plants' cooling systems. France is already cutting production at five facilities.
Crude oil prices have jumped sharply following a new escalation in tensions between the United States and Iran, sending shockwaves through energy markets and intensifying global risk aversion.
Ukraine hit two Russian fuel tankers in the Gulf of Taganrog in the early hours of Thursday, in an attack that worsens Russia's already strained energy situation and puts fresh pressure on global oil markets.
Asian equity markets showed diverging performance on Tuesday as a broad selloff in the semiconductor sector dragged down regional indices, while Hong Kong technology stocks bucked the trend and oil markets saw sharp price gains.
The conflict around the Strait of Hormuz is formally over, but oil prices are refusing to rise. Analysts warn that no one really understands what is driving the market right now.
US President Donald Trump warns that either a nuclear deal with Iran will be reached or the US will 'finish the job' – a statement sending shockwaves through energy and commodity markets.
OPEC+ has approved another production increase after the Strait of Hormuz reopened, significantly improving the outlook for global oil supply and pushing prices further down.
Europe is turning its back on American liquefied natural gas because the price is too high. That is creating headaches for the US-EU trade deal that just entered into force.
APREX · EST. 2026
