Oil prices surge 3% after reported Israeli strikes on Iran: What's happening?

1 week ago 90

Apr 19, 2024 08:18 AM IST

Israeli missiles had hit a site in Iran and explosions were heard at an airport in the Iranian city of Isafahan, it was reported.

Oil prices rose $3 a barrel following reports that Israeli missiles had struck a site in Iran. The reports sparked concerns over disruption of oil supply owing to which benchmark contracts surged more than $3 to later eases slightly. Brent futures were up $2.63, or 3%, to $89.74 a barrel and US West Texas Intermediate contract climbed $2.56, or 3.1%, to $84.66 per barrel.

Brent futures were up $2.63, or 3%, to $89.74 a barrel. Brent futures were up $2.63, or 3%, to $89.74 a barrel.

Warren Patterson, head of commodities strategy at ING, said in a note, as per news agency Reuters, “If these reports turn out to be true, fears over further escalation will only grow, as well as concerns that we are potentially moving closer towards a situation where oil supply risks lead to actual supply disruptions.”

HT launches Crick-it, a one stop destination to catch Cricket, anytime, anywhere. Explore now!

Read more: Bill Gates sells one of his properties in less than two weeks. It costed only…

What we know about Israel's strike in Iran so far?

Reports claimed that Israeli missiles had hit a site in Iran and explosions were heard at an airport in the Iranian city of Isafahan. Several flights were diverted over Iranian airspace, CNN reported after Israel's possible retaliation to Iran's drone and missile attack of last weekend when Tehran launched hundreds of drones and missiles in a strike after a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria. Although Israel said that most of the drones and missiles were downed before reaching its territory. 

Read more: Lok Sabha polls 2024: Should you buy Indian stocks on dip? What JPMorgan says

Israel-Iran's conflict and oil prices

Investors have been closely monitoring Israel's reaction to the April 13 Iranian drone attacks while oil prices had been unwinding this week as it was perceived that Israeli retaliation to Iran's attack would be tempered by international pressure. 

Read more: Elon Musk apologizes to Tesla employees: Sent ‘incorrectly low’ severance

Moreover, Venezuela lost a key US license allowing the OPEC member to export oil to markets globally. Washington also announced sanctions on Iran, another OPEC member, vehicle after the country's drone strike on Israel. The sanctions on Iran exclude its oil industry. 

  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered.

Read Entire Article