Iran, Israel and Oil Prices
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The risk of Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz is real and could disrupt 20% of global oil supply. Click here for more information on Market Outlook.
The Strait of Hormuz is both a vital passage point and a permanent point of tension. As long as the world depends on Oil from the Persian Gulf, its security will remain a major geostrategic concern. If Iran were to cross the red line, the consequences would not be limited to barrels of Oil, but the global economic balance could be shaken.
About 21mn barrels of oil from Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates pass daily through the narrow waterway separating the Islamic republic from the Gulf states, representing about one-third of the world’s seaborne oil supplies.
Amid escalating attacks between Iran and Israel, Iran threatens to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and potentially close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route.
Tensions at the Strait of Hormuz risk 20M bpd in crude oil flow, fueling a sharp rally in oil futures and boosting market volatility.
Oil prices were stable on Monday after Iran's oil production infrastructure was excluded from intensification of military conflict with Israel, while the Strait of Hormuz remains open
There are reports that a few shipping lines may be reassessing routes, particularly the choke point of the Strait of Hormuz, given the heightened threat in the region. This could further add to the transportation cost to and from the region.
Crude oil prices dip as Israel-Iran conflict spares supply lines; traders monitor Strait of Hormuz and OPEC output for further oil outlook clues.