Crude oil prices fell more than 2% on Monday as investors took profits following two consecutive weeks of gains and largely shrugged off newly announced U.S. sanctions targeting Iran and its trading partners. Brent crude settled down $2.22, or 2.35%, at $92.17 per barrel, while WTI declined $2.05, or 2.35%, to settle at $85.01 per barrel.
The United States expanded the scope of secondary sanctions that could be imposed on entities and countries maintaining business ties with Iran, increasing economic pressure on Tehran as the conflict approaches the six-month mark. However, the announcement had a limited immediate impact on oil prices, as markets had largely anticipated additional measures following earlier warnings from the Trump administration.
The effectiveness of the new sanctions will depend heavily on enforcement and whether Iran’s remaining major customers, particularly China, reduce their purchases. Iranian officials continued to call for a diplomatic resolution, while mediation efforts involving regional countries remained underway.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz also remained constrained, although enough crude continues to move through the waterway to prevent a more severe supply shock. Fewer than 20 commodity vessels transited the strait over the weekend, but producers and traders continue to find ways to move barrels through the region. Iraq’s SOMO and QatarEnergy have continued offering crude for loading inside the strait, while some major oil companies have maintained shipments despite higher transportation costs.
The pullback reflects a shift toward profit-taking after last week’s sharp rally rather than a significant improvement in supply conditions. With oil continuing to flow through the Strait of Hormuz, the market has so far avoided the severe supply disruption that would likely be required to push Brent toward significantly higher levels. However, continued restrictions on shipping and the potential for additional sanctions or military escalation are expected to keep geopolitical risk elevated.