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Morning Highlights: Brent Jumps 6% to $78 as Trump Says MOU is Over; Iran Strikes U.S. Bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, Four Tankers Turn Back From Hormuz

Wednesday, July 8, 2026 | 6:45 AM ET Brent (September) $77.89 | WTI (August) $73.94 Brent +3.73 (+5.0%), WTI +3.50 (+5.0%), highest since June 22. Both contracts rose approximately 3% Tuesday after the U.S. revoked the Iranian oil sales license before adding further gains Wednesday. Four tankers have turned back from Hormuz transit attempts. Trump says MOU is over and he does not want to engage with Tehran; Iran strikes 85 U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, shoots dow

Morning Highlights: Brent at $72, Little Changed on the Week; Gulf Exports Recover to 10 Million bpd in June But Still 40% Below Pre-War, OPEC+ Agrees Another August Hike

Monday, July 6, 2026 Brent (September) $71.71 | WTI (August) $68.39 Brent -0.41 (-0.6%), WTI -0.30 (-0.4%). No WTI settlement Friday due to Independence Day holiday. Both contracts little changed on the week after weeks of declines, now trading near pre-war levels. OPEC+ agrees 188,000 bpd August output hike; Gulf exports recover to 10 million bpd in June, still 40% below pre-war; UAE records a June export high of 3.7 to 3.8 million bpd; 98 tankers crossed Hormuz June 22 to 2

Morning Highlights: Brent at $70.50, Lowest Since Day Before War, as Doha Talks Show Positive Progress; Iran Asserts Hormuz Control by Force if Necessary, Next Round Delayed Until After July 9

Thursday, July 2, 2026 | 6:00 AM ET Brent (September) $70.50 | WTI (August) $67.52 Brent -1.07 (-1.5%), WTI -1.06 (-1.5%), lowest levels since February 27. Five Ras Tanura VLCCs carrying 10 million barrels of Saudi crude have already exited the strait. Next U.S.-Iran negotiating round delayed until after July 9. Qatar confirms positive progress in Doha talks on MOU matters; Iran insists on internationally recognized Hormuz control and fee-levying rights including by force if

Morning Highlights: Brent at $72, Largest Quarterly Loss Since 2008; Indirect U.S.-Iran Talks Underway in Doha, Vance Claims Hormuz Flows Restored to Pre-War Levels

Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Market Snapshot Brent (September) $72.22 | WTI (August) $68.82 Brent -0.73 (-1.0%), WTI -0.68 (-1.0%). Brent fell approximately $45 in Q2, its largest quarterly loss since the 2008 global financial crisis. WTI down approximately $31 in Q2, largest quarterly loss since COVID-2020. Analysts cut 2026 oil price forecasts for first time since the war began per Reuters poll. Indirect U.S.-Iran talks underway in Doha with Qatar and Pakistan mediating; Kushner

Morning Highlights: Brent at $76, Near Pre-War Levels, as Hormuz Evacuation Plan Underway; Physical Crude in Discounts Globally, China Teapots at Nine-Year Low Run Rates

Wednesday, June 24, 2026 Brent (August) $75.60 | WTI (August) $71.85 Brent low $75.37, weakest since February 27, the day before the war began. WTI low $71.55, weakest since March 3. Brent down approximately 18% in June. API shows only 765,000 barrel crude draw last week against poll expectations of 4.5 million barrels. EIA data due today. UN shipping agency says evacuation plan underway for hundreds of stranded Gulf vessels; three supertankers transit Hormuz Tuesday; ADNOC h

Morning Highlights: Brent Holds around $78 as Iran Sanctions Waiver Takes Effect; SPR at Lowest Since 1983, Asian Refiners Well Covered, Teapots the Primary Iranian Crude Buyer

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | 6:45 AM ET Market Snapshot Brent (August) $77.85 | WTI (August) $73.81 Brent -0.05 (flat), WTI -0.05, stabilizing after Monday's 3%-plus decline. Brent down approximately 16% in June. SPR fell to 331.2 million barrels last week, lowest since June 1983. Tankers transiting Hormuz Monday despite Iran's weekend closure announcement. U.S. authorizes Iranian oil sales through August 21; NIOC seeking Asian refiner proposals; Iranian crude on water at 126 mil

Morning Highlights: Brent Eases to $79 as Switzerland Talks Produce Oil Export Waivers for Iran; Supply Recovery Gradual, China Demand Destruction May Be Partly Structural

Monday, June 22, 2026 | 6:15 AM ET Brent (August) $79.20 | WTI (August) $75.25Brent -1.37 (-1.7%), August WTI -0.60 (-0.8%). Brent touched $82.30 at the open on Trump threats and Iran's Hormuz closure announcement before reversing sharply on Switzerland progress. July WTI expires today. Iran secures oil and petrochemical export waivers, frozen asset releases and reconstruction plan launch in Switzerland talks; Iran says 25 million barrels of Iranian oil have passed the blocka

Morning Highlights: Brent Falls to $83, Three-Month Low, as U.S. and Iran Announce Framework Deal; Hormuz to Reopen Friday "Toll Free," Lebanon and Nuclear Issues Deferred

Monday, June 15, 2026 | 6:30AM ET Brent (August) $82.94 | WTI (July) $80.45 Brent -4.30 (-4.9%), WTI -4.43 (-5.2%), lowest since March 10, extending Friday's 3% decline. An estimated 155 to 215 tankers remain in the Gulf area awaiting transit. U.S. and Iran announce framework deal to end war, MOU to be signed Friday in Switzerland; Trump says Hormuz opens toll free and naval blockade ends; Iran's Mehr says strait reopens within 30 days under Iranian arrangements; Lebanon ceas

Morning Highlights: Brent Slips to $92 as Iran and Israel Halt Attacks After Trump Appeal; China May Crude Imports at Eight-Year Low, U.S. Jet Fuel Output Hits Record

Tuesday, June 9, 2026 Brent (August) $92.57 | WTI (July) $89.26 Brent -1.68 (-1.6%), WTI -2.04 (-2.2%), giving back most of Monday's 4% gain. China May crude imports fell to 7.8 million bpd, lowest since October 2017, against a 2025 average of 11.6 million bpd. Iran and Israel halt attacks following Trump appeal, both warn hostilities could resume; China May crude imports at eight-year low; U.S. jet fuel output hits record above 2 million bpd; U.S. Navy disables tanker attemp

Morning Highlights: Brent Eases to $97 on Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire; Iranian Exports at Six-Year Low, South Korean Jet Fuel Recovery Eases Asian Tightness

Thursday, June 4, 2026 | 6:15 AM ET Brent (August) $96.65 | WTI (July) $95.12 Brent -1.16 (-1.2%), WTI -0.90 (-0.9%), modest decline on ceasefire optimism. EIA confirmed 8 million barrel crude draw last week, well above the 4 million barrel expectation. Iranian crude exports at six-year low of 260,000-350,000 bpd in May against a 2025 average of 1.67 million bpd. Israel-Lebanon ceasefire agreed, removing one of Iran's stated preconditions for broader settlement; Trump suggest

Morning Highlights: Brent at $98 as Iran Strikes Kuwait and Bahrain, IEA Warns of Critically Low Inventories; Trump Says Ayatollah Involved in Talks

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Brent (August) $98.54 | WTI (July) $96.37 Brent +2.54 (+2.7%), WTI +2.61 (+2.8%), highest since late May. U.S. crude stocks fell 6.8 million barrels last week per API, seventh consecutive weekly decline. EIA data due today. Iran launches ballistic missiles at Kuwait and Bahrain; U.S. strikes Qeshm Island; Trump says Ayatollah involved in talks and Iran agreed no nuclear weapons; IEA warns inventories could hit critical levels before peak summer demand;

Morning Highlights: Brent at $91, Down 9% on the Week; U.S. and Iran Reportedly Reach Ceasefire Extension Agreement, Trump Yet to Approve

Friday, May 29, 2026 Brent (August) $91.34 | WTI (July) $87.71 Brent -1.36 (-1.5%), WTI -1.19 (-1.3%). Brent down roughly 9% on the week, steepest weekly decline since the week of April 6. WTI down nearly 8%, biggest weekly loss since the week of April 13. Both benchmarks have traded in up to $6 daily ranges this week on conflicting deal signals. Reuters reports U.S. and Iran reached agreement on ceasefire extension and lifting Hormuz shipping restrictions, Trump yet to appro

Morning Highlights: Brent at $96 as U.S. and Iran Exchange Strikes Near Bandar Abbas; Trump Rejects Draft Deal, Threatens Oman, U.S. Sanctions Persian Gulf Strait Authority

Thursday, May 28, 2026 | 6:15 AM ET Brent (July) $95.92 | August Brent $93.86 | WTI (July) $90.23 July Brent expires Friday. Brent +1.63 (+1.7%), WTI +1.55 (+1.7%), recovering from Wednesday's 5% drop. U.S. crude stocks fell 2.8 million barrels last week per API, sixth consecutive weekly decline. EIA data due today, delayed one day by Memorial Day. U.S. strikes Iranian drone operation near Bandar Abbas; IRGC retaliates against U.S. airbase; Kuwait intercepts missiles and dron

Morning Highlights: Brent Slips to $97 as U.S. Strikes Dampen Deal Optimism; Israel Escalates in Lebanon, LNG Transits Lift Some Hopes

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 Brent (July) $96.79 | WTI (July) $90.43 Brent -2.79 (-2.8%), WTI -3.46 (-3.7%), giving back most of Tuesday's 3.6% gain. Brent has traded in a roughly $10 range this week alone as peace deal signals and military actions continue to whipsaw prices. U.S. strikes on Iranian missile sites and mine-laying vessels cited as ceasefire violation by Tehran; Israel escalates bombing in Lebanon; Commerzbank says market confidence remains high despite setbacks; LNG

Morning Highlights: Brent at $105, Down 3% on the Week; Gaps Narrow in Iran Talks but Uranium and Hormuz Remain Unresolved; Ukraine Hits 11 Russian Oil Facilities in May

Friday, May 22, 2026 | 6:00AM ET Brent (July) $105.31 | WTI (July) $98.44 Brent +2.73 (+2.7%), WTI +2.09 (+2.2%) on the day. Brent down over 3% on the week, WTI down around 6%, as peace deal optimism and disappointment continued to drive sharp intraday swings. Senior Iranian source says gaps with U.S. have narrowed; Rubio says some good signs in talks; uranium stockpile and Hormuz control remain unresolved; Ukraine hits Yaroslavl refinery 700km from border, 11 Russian oil fac

Morning Highlights: Brent Jumps to $107 as Iran Supreme Leader Says Uranium Must Stay in Iran; ADNOC CEO Warns Full Hormuz Flows Not Before Q1-Q2 2027, Eurozone Contracts

Thursday, May 21, 2026 Brent (July) $107.20 | WTI (July) $100.82 Brent +2.18 (+2.1%), WTI +2.57 (+2.6%), reversing overnight losses after Iran's Supreme Leader issued a directive that uranium must stay in Iran. Record U.S. SPR draw of nearly 10 million barrels last week confirmed by EIA. Iran Supreme Leader rules out uranium removal from country; Iran establishes Persian Gulf Strait Authority with controlled maritime zone; ADNOC CEO says full Hormuz flows not before Q1-Q2 202

Morning Highlights: Brent Slips to $109 as Trump Says War Ends Very Quickly; UK Waives Russian Product Sanctions, Stranded Gulf Tankers Begin Moving, Citi Sees $120 Near Term

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | 6:30 AM ET Brent (July) $109.00 | WTI (July) $102.14 Brent -2.28 (-2.0%), WTI -2.01 (-1.9%). U.S. crude stocks fell for a fifth straight week per API, EIA data due today. Brent prompt spread around $21 per barrel, well below last month's highs above $35. Trump says war will end very quickly, was an hour from ordering strikes; Vance says significant progress in Iran talks; UK waives sanctions on Russian-origin diesel and jet fuel; three stranded Gulf

Morning Highlights: Brent Slips to $111 as Trump Pauses Iran Strike to Allow Negotiations; Record 9.9 Million Barrel SPR Draw, Russia Sanctions Waiver Reinstated

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 Brent (July) $111.00 | WTI (July) $103.56 Brent -1.10 (-1.0%),June WTI expires today, July WTI -0.82 (-0.8%) Both contracts hit their highest levels since early May on Monday before reversing on Trump's pause announcement. Trump posts he is holding off a planned Tuesday Iran strike to allow negotiations; Iran's latest proposal includes reparations and U.S. troop withdrawal; record 9.9 million barrel SPR draw brings stockpiles to July 2024 lows; Russia sa

Morning Highlights: Brent at $110, Touches $112 on Drone Strike at UAE Nuclear Plant; IEA Warns Commercial Inventories Have Weeks Left, Russia Sanctions Waiver Lapses

Monday, May 18, 2026 Brent (July) $110.15 | WTI (June) $106.24 Brent session high $112.00, highest since May 5. WTI session high $108.70, highest since April 30. June WTI expires Tuesday. Both contracts up more than 7% last week. Drone strike hits UAE Barakah nuclear power plant; Saudi Arabia intercepts three drones from Iraqi airspace; Trump meeting national security advisers Tuesday on military options; IEA's Birol warns commercial inventories have weeks left; U.S. lets Rus

Morning Highlights: Brent Jumps 3% to $109 as Trump Loses Patience With Iran; Hormuz Transit Picks Up, UAE Fast-Tracks Bypass Pipeline, India Raises Fuel Prices

Friday, May 15, 2026 | 5:45 AM ET Brent (July) $109.64 | WTI (June) $105.27 Brent +3.92 (+3.7%), WTI +4.10 (+4.1%). Brent up 7.8% on the week, WTI up 9.9%. Hormuz daily transits up to roughly 10-30 vessels versus 5-7 recently, still well below the pre-war norm of 140. Trump says patience with Iran running out after Beijing summit; U.S. reportedly rejects Iran's five preconditions; UAE fast-tracks West-East Pipeline to double Fujairah bypass capacity by 2027; India raises reta

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