3 weeks ago
Oil prices rise as US-Iran talks stall over Hormuz
Imagine a very important water route that ships use to deliver oil all over the world.
That route is called the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States and Iran were talking about making a deal to keep the route open, but their talks stopped without an agreement.
When people worry the route might close, the price of oil goes up — and that is exactly what happened.
Oil got more expensive, with one kind costing about $88 a barrel and another around $82.
Iran says the waterway will stay closed until the US lifts sanctions and ends its naval blockade, while US President Trump says America controls the strait and wants Iran to pay compensation.
People worry that if oil costs more, everyday things like gas and food will cost more too, which we call inflation.
Big banks that control money are watching closely because they might change interest rates, and people are buying gold when they feel nervous, so its price went up too.
Everyone is waiting to see if the talks restart or if oil prices keep going up.
Brent crude climbed to $88 a barrel and WTI to about $82, with both benchmarks at their strongest levels in nearly two weeks after surging about 5% the previous session.
US-Iran negotiations over a peace deal and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz hit an impasse, reviving fears of disruptions to a route carrying about one-fifth of global oil and LNG shipments.
US President Donald Trump reportedly demanded compensation from Tehran for people killed in wars, attacks and protests, hardening the US position and dimming hopes of a near-term breakthrough.
Iran says the strait remains closed due to a US naval blockade and demands lifted sanctions, while Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said no direct talks with Washington are underway and that technical discussions with Oman on alternative routes are nearing completion.
Investors await the July US CPI report due Wednesday (headline +0.1%, core +0.2% month-on-month expected) as safe-haven gold rose 0.5% to $4,409.81 an ounce and the yen stayed weaker than 159 per dollar.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump; Iranian officials including Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei; global investors; and central banks such as the US Federal Reserve.
- What
- Oil prices rose to their highest levels since July 31 as US-Iran talks over a peace deal and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz stalled, reviving supply, inflation and interest rate concerns.
- Where
- The Strait of Hormuz and global financial markets across the US, Asia and Europe.
- When
- On Tuesday, following a roughly 5% rally in crude the previous session and ahead of the July US CPI report due Wednesday.
- Why
- The impasse revived fears of disruption to one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints, threatening tighter supplies, higher inflation and delayed central bank interest rate cuts.
US stance
Iranian stance
Status of the Strait of Hormuz
US stance
Trump said the US has control over the Strait of Hormuz and has cleared it of Iranian mines, reducing expectations of an immediate reopening.
Iranian stance
Iran said the waterway will remain closed until the US ends what Tehran describes as a naval blockade, and that reopening depends on conditions set by the US and Israel.
Conditions for a deal
US stance
The US reportedly demanded compensation from Tehran for people killed in wars, attacks and protests, hardening Washington's position.
Iranian stance
Iran demands an end to sanctions, cessation of military threats and compensation, and wants the US to address alleged violations of an earlier understanding before talks resume.
Key facts
- Brent crude price
- $88 per barrel (also reported at $87.80)
- WTI crude price
- $82.45 per barrel (one report cited $82.22)
- Strait of Hormuz share
- Around one-fifth of global oil and LNG shipments
- Spot gold price
- $4,409.81 per ounce, up 0.5%
- US-Iran talks status
- Impasse over peace deal and Strait of Hormuz reopening
- Conflict peak crude price
- $126 per barrel
- July CPI expectations
- Headline +0.1% m/m, core +0.2% m/m; report due Wednesday
- Yen exchange rate
- Weaker than 159 per US dollar
Sources
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