Crude oil prices moved higher on Friday as the threat of additional U.S. sanctions against Iran and its trading partners raised concerns that global supplies could tighten further. Brent crude settled up $0.61, or 0.65%, at $94.39 per barrel, while WTI gained $0.23, or 0.26%, to settle at $87.06 per barrel. Both benchmarks posted strong weekly gains, with Brent rising 6.39% and WTI increasing 5.66%, as continued supply disruptions and uncertainty surrounding the Iran conflict kept a significant geopolitical risk premium in the market.
The United States has threatened additional economic sanctions targeting Iran and countries that continue to support or trade with Tehran. Iran responded by warning of serious consequences if additional measures are imposed, raising concerns that further retaliation or shipping disruptions could intensify the current supply situation.
Shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely constrained. Only seven commodity vessels transited the waterway on Thursday, roughly half the previous day’s total. Before the conflict began on February 28, approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies moved through the strait.
The disruption is also placing additional pressure on Iranian crude exports, with fewer cargoes reportedly being offered to Chinese buyers as U.S. restrictions continue to limit shipments. Meanwhile, production and alternative transportation routes are helping offset some lost Middle Eastern volumes, including pipeline capacity, U.S. shale production, Venezuelan supplies, and exports from the UAE.
Additional supply concerns emerged after Ukraine struck a Russian oil refinery in the city of Perm, continuing a series of attacks targeting Russia’s energy infrastructure.
With Middle Eastern exports still constrained, Iranian shipments facing additional pressure, and traffic through the Strait of Hormuz operating far below normal levels, crude prices remain supported by elevated geopolitical risk. However, alternative supply sources are helping offset part of the disruption and may limit further gains if additional barrels continue reaching the global market.