أسعار النفط الخام تستقر على ارتفاع بسبب التوترات الأمريكية الإيرانية

October WTI crude oil (CLV26) closed up +0.29 (+0.32%) on Thursday, and October RBOB gasoline (RBV26) closed up +0.0311 (+1.00%).

Crude oil and gasoline prices settled higher on Thursday, with crude oil posting a new 6-week high. Crude prices are climbing as the US-Iran conflict continues with no end in sight, prolonging disruptions to energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Crude oil also found support from Thursday's decline in the dollar index ($DXY) to a 1.5-week low. Crude prices fell from their best level on signs that oil supplies are still moving through the Strait of Hormuz.

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Escalation of hostilities between the US and Iran is supporting crude oil prices. The US carried out several rounds of strikes against Iran this week, targeting radar systems and mine-laying capabilities along Iran's southern coast. Iran retaliated with drone and missile attacks on US bases across the Middle East.

Signs of tighter Middle East oil supplies are bullish for crude prices. Data compiled by Bloomberg, Kpler and Vortexa showed that Saudi Arabia's Aug crude exports dropped to about 3 million bpd, the lowest amount in 9 years.

Gains in crude oil prices were limited on Thursday after President Trump said the US controls the Strait of Hormuz and, "We're taking out 30, 40 boats a night, and a lot of oil is coming out of there." Also, CNN reported that the US military escorted 40 vessels carrying 18 million bbl of oil through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, easing supply concerns.

President Trump recently said that the US naval blockade on Iranian ports is putting pressure on the country, and he has no timeline for resolving the US-Iran conflict.

Crude prices also have support on concerns that Israel could be dragged back into the US-Iran conflict. Israeli Defense Minister Katz said on Thursday that an Iranian attack on Israel would free Israel from any existing restrictions in a response against the regime in Iran. Israel has ramped up attacks on Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, dampening the prospects of ending hostilities in the Middle East and a quick reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. In addition, Israel has struck Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza, while the Yemen- based Houthis have attacked ships in the Red Sea.

In a supporting factor, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its monthly report, released on August 12, that the global oil supply deficit will worsen, even as oil demand is taking a hit from the war and high prices. The IEA said global oil inventories will fall in Q3 at twice the previously estimated rate because of ongoing disruptions from the US-Iran war.