Brent oil tops $90 amid US-Iran strikes
Published On 20 Jul, 2026
Brent crude futures climbed $2.09, or 2.37%, to $90.19 by 0241 GMT, touching the highest since June 11, extending gains after rising 15.9% last week, its biggest weekly gain since April.
US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $84.20 a barrel, up $1.71, or 2.07%, the loftiest since June 12. Front-month prices gained 15.5% last week, the largest weekly ascent since early March.
The Middle East conflict escalated over the weekend with the US conducting a ninth straight night of attacks against Iran, while US allies Kuwait and Bahrain reported more Iranian strikes.
“ICE Brent broke above $90 per barrel this morning with no let-up in the escalation in the Gulf,” said ING analysts in a note on Monday.
“The US and Iran continue to exchange strikes, which are proving to be deadly for both sides. If this escalation goes unchecked, we could return to an environment of wide-scale attacks across the Gulf.”
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Monday that two oil tankers had exploded and been immobilised after attempting to transit what it described as an unsafe southern route through the Strait of Hormuz, alleging they had been encouraged by the US military to use the passage.
Reuters could not immediately verify the incident.
