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☆ Israel and Iran: All-out war, or measured retaliation?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Atta Kenare | AFP | Getty Imageswatch nowBut a full-blown conventional war would be devastating to both sides and highly destabilizing for the Middle East. Are these tit-for-tat blows between Israel and Iran clear evidence of all-out war, or carefully calibrated retaliation strikes? "With Israel's apparent strikes on Iran today, retaliating for Iran's attack on Israel last Sunday, we now have a direct nation-on-nation hot war," he told CNBC's "Capital Connection" Friday. 'Ball is back in Iran's court'Not everyone agrees that the line into wider war has been crossed, however. Within hours of the Israeli strikes, risk assets were already on their way back down, with international oil benchmark Brent crude turning lower for the session after a brief spike.

Persons: Atta Kenare, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Netanyahu, Ebrahim Raisi, Clay Seigle, CNBC's, Ehud Olmert, CNBC's Dan Murphy, Olmert, Ian Bremmer, Michael Singh, Israel, Rob Casey, Casey Organizations: AFP, Getty, Washington, Rapidan Energy Group, Israeli, Military, Israel, Eurasia Group, National Security Council, Wall Street, Signum Global Advisors, Anadolu, International Atomic Energy Agency, Brent Locations: Palestine Square, Tehran, Israel, Iran, U.S, Damascus, Gulf of Oman, Hormuz, Anadolu

☆ Oil prices get short-lived boost from attack on Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Laura He | Olesya Dmitracova | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was down 0.4% at $86.8 per barrel, having earlier spiked more than 3%. The Israeli military has not commented, and Iran has not identified the source of the attack. Iran launched the attack in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria earlier this month. Iran is a big oil producer but exports most of its crude to China because of long-standing international sanctions. Mexico also said earlier this month that it would cut back oil exports because of strong domestic demand.

Persons: Brent, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, ” Neil Shearing, Richard Bronze Organizations: London CNN, CNN, Capital Economics, Organization of, Petroleum, ANZ, United, Nikkei, Kospi, Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Locations: Hong Kong, London, Iranian, Isfahan, East, Iran, Syria, Hormuz, China, United States, Mexico, Asia, Israel, Tel Aviv

☆ 'Iran is in for the long haul' with oil tanker hijacks, expert says, as U.S. considers more sanctions
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Before this weekend's tanker seizure, the last vessel Iran hijacked was the St. Nikolas on January 1. A Planet Labs satellite image of the location of the MSC Aries and other tankers recently hijacked by Iran. Planet Labs PBCAs the U.S. considers more sanctions against Iran in response to its recent attack on Israel, Iran has been using the hijacked ships as a means of sanctions retaliation. Iran chose to do this as a way to compensate for sanctions," Madani said. In a note to clients, ClearView highlighted that the House of Representatives added several Iran sanctions bills to its calendar for consideration this week, under suspension rules, including new sanctions on Iranian oil exports to China.

Persons: Nikolas, Houthis, Samir Madani, Eyal Ofer's, Madani, Janet Yellen, Helima Croft, Andy Lipow, Brent, Lipow, Kevin Book, Book Organizations: Anadolu, Getty, MSC Aries, U.S . Naval Forces Central Command, Galaxy Leader, MSC, Planet Labs, U.S . Energy Information Agency, United Arab, JPMorgan, CNBC, Lipow Oil Associates, ClearView Energy Partners, US, UN Locations: Gulf of Oman, Hormuz, Anadolu, Iran, Israel, Gaza, U.S, Iranian, Khuran, China, Russia, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Strait, Tehran, East, North Africa, India, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, France, Germany

☆ These 10 oil stocks are the most — and least — sensitive to price swings amid Iran-Israel tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Ganesh Rao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Crude oil prices have been volatile in April amid heightened geopolitical risks. Fears of a spillover conflict in the Middle East have led some market watchers to predict oil prices could soar to $100 per barrel and beyond . Any disruption in its capacity to supply global markets could send oil prices higher, analysts told CNBC. Oil and gas stocks that show a negative correlation with crude oil prices will enable investors to withstand any volatility while remaining invested in the sector. A correlation of 0 would mean no link between the crude oil price and the stock price.

Persons: Bartosz, Andy Lipow, — CNBC's Lee Ying Shan, Jenni Reid Organizations: Organization of, Petroleum, CNBC, Brent, Lipow Oil Associates, CNBC Pro, Energy Locations: Iran, Israel, Conotoxia, Hormuz, lockstep

☆ China's inaction on Iran has 'undermined' its influence in the Middle East, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

China's restrained silence on the Middle East conflict is tipping the scales of regional influence back in the U.S.' favor, according to one analyst. "[Beijing's] role has been less pronounced than many expected, and actually I think it's undermined the sense of growing Chinese influence and confidence in the region," Julien Barnes-Dacey, director of the Middle East & North Africa program at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said on CNBC's "Street Signs" Tuesday. Last week, world leaders entreated China to use its considerable influence as a key trade partner to sway Tehran away from a direct attack against Israel, after an Israeli strike killed several top Iranian commanders in Damascus. Roughly 99% of these projectiles were eliminated by Israel, with help from the U.S., the U.K., France and Jordan. Since then, the specter of Israeli retaliation and a broader conflict in the Middle East has loomed large, with Washington stressing its commitment to Israeli defense and world leaders urging calm.

Persons: Julien Barnes, Dacey, Israel — Organizations: European Council, Foreign Relations, Israel Locations: U.S, Africa, China, Tehran, Israel, Damascus, Iran, Strait, Hormuz, France, Jordan, Washington

☆ Oil prices could see 'super spike well above $100' if conflict escalates after Iran's attack on Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Any disruption in its capacity to supply global markets could send oil prices higher, analysts told CNBC. Insufficient investment makes supply more fragile and increases the chance of a super spike well above $100 if supply is disrupted. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Oil prices since the start of the year. "I think oil prices will go to all time highs this cycle, due to a decade of under-investment in exploration and development," Young added. Oil prices have climbed in recent months on trade disruptions and delays caused by Red Sea maritime attacks from the Houthis, who claim solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Persons: Saeid Arabzadeh, Israel reigniting, Andy Lipow, Daniel Hagari, Josh Young, Brent, Young, Morgan Stanley's Organizations: Afp, Getty, OPEC, CNBC, Brent, Lipow Oil Associates, Israel Defense Forces, Bison, Iran's United Nations, underinvestment, U.S, West Texas Locations: Persian, Iran, Hormuz, Oman, Israel, Damascus, Syria, Asia

☆ Oil prices fall after Iran attack as market draws down risk premium
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices fell at Asia's open on Monday, as market participants dialed back risk premiums following Iran's attack on Israel late on Saturday which the Israeli government said caused limited damage. The attack involving more than 300 missiles and drones was the first on Israel from another country in more than three decades. Oil benchmarks had risen on Friday in anticipation of a retaliatory attack by Iran, touching their highest levels since October. But prices still ended the week down about 1% after the International Energy Agency lowered its forecast for oil demand growth this year. A "less certain path to Fed rate cuts" because of persistent U.S. inflation also weighed on prices, Sycamore said.

Persons: Brent, Tony Sycamore, Jorge Leon, Analysts, Sycamore Organizations: West Texas, Israel's, Iran, International Energy Agency, Rystad Energy Locations: Tutong district, Brunei, Israel, Iran, Damascus, Gaza, U.S, Syria, Strait, Hormuz, East, Europe

☆ Wall Street's scenarios for the Israel-Iran conflict from here and its impact on the oil market
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The oil market has brushed off Iran's weekend air assault against Israel, with futures trading as much as 1.5% lower on Monday. Oil prices could spike above $100 a barrel depending on how Israel responds to the attack, the analyst wrote. Attack 'well-telegraphed' Iran's attack, though unprecedented, did little actual damage as Israel and the U.S. intercepted nearly all the drones and missiles. The Islamic Republic warned, however, it would strike harder next time if Israel responds to the weekend attack. Potential threats include Iran seizing ships associated with Israel in the Strait of Hormuz; Israel attacking Iranian oil and gas assets; or Iran striking energy assets of its neighbors if Israel hits too hard.

Persons: Israel, Maximilian Layton, Layton, Brent, Helima Croft, CNBC's, Natasha Kaneva, Kaneva, Goldman, Daan Struyven, RBC's Croft, Jan Stuart, Piper Sandler, Stuart Organizations: Citi ., Brent, Citi, RBC Capital Markets, RBC, U.S, United Nations, Islamic, JPMorgan, CNBC Locations: Israel, Iran, Damascus, Syria, Tehran, Lebanon, Republic, Islamic Republic, Goldman Sachs, Strait, Hormuz, Iranian

☆ Restraint or retribution? Israel faces dilemma in its response to Iran’s attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | Jeremy Diamond | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Israel must balance international pressure to show restraint on the one hand, while searching for an appropriate response to an unprecedented attack. Western and Arab allies of Israel have been discouraging it from responding to Iran’s attack. Benny Gantz, a key member of the war cabinet, has pushed for a swifter response to Iran’s attack, two Israeli officials told CNN. He believes that the longer Israel delays its response to Iran’s attack, the harder it will be to garner international support for it, the sources said. Risking Arab tiesArab states, including those that are friendly with Israel, have expressed concern about a potential escalation from Iran’s attack, but haven’t outright condemned it.

Persons: CNN —, Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Raz Zimmt, Israel …, Amir Cohen, ” Zimmt, Alon Pinkas, Tamir Hayman, Israel’s, Jordan, ” Hayman, Joe Biden, Biden, Adam Schultz, Netanyahu, Netanyahu’s, it’s, ” Pinkas, Pinkas, Louai Beshara, Israel, ” Yaakov Amidror, Iran’s, Benny Gantz, haven’t, CNN’s Becky Anderson, Ayman Safadi, ” Safadi Organizations: CNN, Islamic, Analysts, Hamas, Institute for National Security Studies, Sunday, Reuters, National Security, White, Domestic, Getty Locations: CNN — Israel, Islamic Republic, Israel, Iran, Damascus, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Tehran, Ashkelon, Israeli, France, Pinkas, Iranian, Syria, AFP, Rafah, United States, Jerusalem, Jordanian, “, Persian, Hormuz

☆ Here’s how the Israel-Iran conflict affects the oil market
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Oil prices spiked Friday to levels not seen since October in anticipation of just such an escalation but on Monday were subdued. “It is the most significant chokepoint in the global oil market,” Richard Bronze, co-founder and analyst at data firm Energy Aspects, told CNN. A renewed crackdown would, however, “create upward pressure on global prices” at an inopportune moment, Tagliapietra said. A tight oil marketDespite Iran’s barrage of drones and missiles, the conflict had a relatively muted impact on the global oil market Monday. Oil prices have already risen sharply since hitting a low in early February.

Persons: London CNN —, Brent, Israel —, Simone Tagliapietra, ” Richard Bronze, Tagliapietra, Joe Biden’s, WTI, Russia — Organizations: London CNN, West Texas Intermediate, CNN, International Energy Agency, Hamas, Organization of, Petroleum, United Arab Emirates, Traders Locations: Israel, Iran, Syria, Paris, Gaza, Tehran, Hormuz ‘, Hormuz, Brussels, China, Strait, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United States, Ukraine, Washington, Damascus, OPEC, Russia, Brazil, Guyana, Canada

☆ Rising oil is still the big market risk despite today's pullback, analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Markets kept their cool on Monday amid a fast-moving and volatile geopolitical landscape in the Middle East — but the longer-term risk premium has likely risen, while oil prices remain on edge, analysts said. Iran said it was acting in self-defense in response to a strike on its diplomatic compound in Damascus, Syria, earlier this month. By Monday, global players including the U.S. and European leaders were seeking to cool tensions, urging Israel to show restraint in its response. Sinha nevertheless added that "the fact that we moved from a proxy confrontation to a direct confrontation, even though that de-escalates in the near term, the longer term risk premium probably goes up." "I think the FX market ultimately will take its cue from oil prices because ultimately, that's the channel through which it spills over to the FX market," he said.

Persons: Adarsh Sinha, CNBC's, Sinha Organizations: U.S . Energy Information Administration, U.S, Asia FX, Bank of America, Iranian, FX Locations: Iran, Israel, Damascus, Syria, Strait, Hormuz, Tehran, Asia, U.S

☆ Israel says 300 Iranian drones and missiles downed in ‘unprecedented’ overnight attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Iranians are waving Iranian flags and a Palestinian flag as they celebrate Iran's IRGC UAV and missile attack against Israel on April 14, 2024. Iran rained a deluge of drones and missiles on Israel on Saturday night in response to a suspected Israeli strike that killed top Iranian officials in Syria, in a deep escalation of Middle East tensions. Last night marked the first instance of a direct attack on Israel from Iranian territory. Iran vowed revenge after a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, on April 1, which killed several top Iranian military commanders. The European Union has blasted Tehran's offensive: "The EU strongly condemns the unacceptable Iranian attack against Israel," EU High Representative Josep Borrell said late Saturday on social media.

Persons: Israel, Daniel Hagari, Bashar al, –, Iran's, Mohammad Bagheri, Gilad Erdan, Josep Borrell, Joe Biden, Washington, Steve Scalise, Mitch McConnell Organizations: Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Hamas, Yemeni, Guards, Islamic Republic News Agency, . Security, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, European, EU, Biden, –, U.S . House, Republican Locations: Iran, Israel, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Strait, Hormuz, Gaza, Iranian, Damascus, France, Ukraine, U.S

☆ Live Updates: Israel Says Confrontation With Iran ‘Is Not Over’
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Mike Ives | Isabel Kershner | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

The Iranian armed forces are among the biggest in the Middle East, with 580,000 soldiers and officers and also 200,000 reservists. The start of a direct military confrontation between Iran and Israel has brought renewed attention to Iran’s armed forces. Instead, Israel and Iran have been engaged in a long shadow war via air, sea, land and cyberattacks, and Israel has covertly targeted military and nuclear facilities inside Iran and killed commanders and scientists. It’s that they realize any war against Iran is a very serious war.”What sort of military threat does Iran pose? The commander in chief of Iran’s armed forces is the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the last word on all major decisions.

Persons: ”, Afshon Ostovar, “ It’s, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Fabian Hinz, “, Atta Kenare, Ostovar, Ayatollah Khamenei, Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, Will Israel’s Organizations: Naval Postgraduate School, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Guards, General Staff of, Armed Forces, Quds Force, Agence France, Phantoms, Iranian Army, Associated Press Locations: Tehran, Iranian, Iran, Israel, Damascus, United States, Washington, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Jihad, Gaza, Berlin, speedboats, Persian, Hormuz, Russia, Ukraine, Sudan, North Korea

☆ Iranian navy seizes Israel-linked container ship amid escalating tensions in Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Adam Pourahmadi | Catherine Nicholls | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has confirmed the seizure, saying there are 25 crew on board. Portugal’s government said that it was in touch with the Iranian authorities. The Strait of Hormuz, at the northern end of the Gulf of Oman, is the biggest oil chokepoint in the world. The United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, wrote on social media platform X that he had spoken with Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz. The two discussed their “shared concerns about Iranian threats to attack Israel,” Cameron wrote, adding that “further escalation in the region is in no-one’s interest and risks further loss of civilian life.”

Persons: CNN —, IRNA, “, Eyal Ofer, Joe Biden, Daniel Hagari, Israel, David Cameron, Benny Gantz, ” Cameron, ” Organizations: CNN, CNN — Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, Navy, Zodiac, Mediterranean Shipping Company, United, Israel Defense Forces, United Kingdom’s Locations: Israeli, Hormuz, Iran, Syria, Portuguese, Gulf of Oman, Tehran, Iranian, United States, Damascus, Gaza, The Iran, Yemen, Red, Israel

☆ Iran has launched drone attacks at Israel, U.S. officials say
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Office of the Iranian SupremeIran on Saturday launched attacks against Israel, according to U.S. officials, escalating long-standing tensions between the two nations that have the potential to trigger a regional war. "Iran has begun an airborne attack against Israel," National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a Saturday statement. Earlier on Saturday, Iran's Revolutionary Guard seized a Portuguese-flagged cargo ship with links to Israel in the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a Saturday statement that the missile and drone launches were "in response to the crimes by the Zionist Regime." "If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will react and attack in Iran," Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Israel Katz wrote in a Wednesday post on X, tagging the Ayatollah's X account.

Persons: Ali Khamenei, Israel, Adrienne Watson, Daniel Hagari, Joe Biden, Lloyd Austin, Antony Blinken, perpetrating, Israel Katz Organizations: Iran's, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Saturday, Security, Israel Defense Forces, U.S, White, Defense, Iran's Revolutionary Guard, House, Zionist, Foreign Affairs Locations: Damascus, Tehran, Iran, Iranian, United States, Israel, Portuguese, Strait, Hormuz, Gaza

☆ Iran seizes cargo ship in Strait of Hormuz, Israel goes on high alert
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Blaming Israel — which has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility — Iran vowed retaliation. Jordan on Saturday declared its airspace closed, in a possible precautionary move given the likelihood of its territory being overflown by any missiles exchanged by Iran and Israel. On Friday, Biden warned Iran against attacking Israel but said such a scenario could be imminent. On Tuesday, the Revolutionary Guards' naval head, Alireza Tangsiri, said the force could close the Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Iran and the United Arab Emirates, if necessary. The United States and Britain have carried out strikes against Houthi targets in response to the attacks on shipping.

Persons: Israel —, Zodiac, Eyal Ofer, Israel Katz, Joe Biden, Biden, Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant, Gallant, Alireza Tangsiri, Abraham, Hasan Alhasan Organizations: Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Hamas, Jordan, Saturday, Guards, Aries, MSC, Gortal Shipping, Zodiac Maritime, House, Iran, U.S . Defense, Pentagon, State, Revolutionary Guards, United Arab, Israel, International Institute for Strategic Studies, MSC Aries, Maritime Information Center Locations: Iranian, Syria's, Damascus, Strait, Hormuz, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Tehran, Iran, Iran's, State, United States, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Britain

☆ Vessel seized in Strait of Hormuz amid Iran tensions, shipping firms say
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A vessel has been seized by "regional authorities" between the United Arab Emirates and Iran, maritime security agencies said on Saturday, days after Iran warned it could close the area to sea traffic. UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the vessel had been seized 50 nautical miles (92 km) northeast of the Fujairah, an area close to the Strait of Hormuz that forms the entrance to the Gulf. Marine tracking sites said the vessel was the MSC Aries of Zodiac Maritime, an international shipping company partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer. Reuters could not immediately confirm that and UKMTO said it could not provide more information when asked if the regional authorities were Iran and if the seized vessel was MSC Aries. The United States and Britain have carried out strikes against Houthi targets in response to the attacks on shipping.

Persons: Eyal Ofer, UKMTO, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Alireza Tangsiri, Abraham, Joe Biden Organizations: United Arab, Maritime Trade Operations, ., MSC Aries, Zodiac Maritime, Zodiac, MSC, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Israel, Abraham Accords, Revolutionary Guards Locations: United Arab Emirates, Iran, Hormuz, U.S, UAE, United States, Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Syria's, Damascus, Tehran, Yemen's Iran, Britain

☆ Oil prices could spike to $100 if Iran directly attacks Israel, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The price of global benchmark Brent crude oil could spike to $100 a barrel if Iran directly attacks Israel, a former senior White House energy official said. @LCO.1 YTD mountain Brent crude oil, YTD Oil rallied last week after a missile attack destroyed Iran's consulate in Damascus, Syria, killing seven Iranian military officials. "If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will react and attack Iran," Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on the social media platform X , tagging Ayatollah Khamenei. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made clear that the Biden administration is worried about rising energy prices during congressional testimony Tuesday. "Certainly, those attacks could have a knock-on effect in terms of the global energy situation," Austin told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Persons: Bob McNally, McNally, George W, Brent, YTD Oil, Israel, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Khamenei, Israel Katz, Biden, terrify, Daniel Yergin, Yergin, CNBC's, Natasha Kaneva, Lloyd Austin, Austin Organizations: Brent, White House, Rapidan, Bloomberg News, YTD, Israel, Iran, Rapidan Energy, Biden, P Global, JPMorgan, Defense, Senate Armed Services Committee Locations: Iran, Israel, U.S, Washington, Damascus, Syria, OPEC, Tehran, Islamic Republic, Strait, Hormuz, Persian, Kyiv, Ukraine

☆ Oil steady as U.S. crude stock build offsets Middle East uncertainty
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An oil pumpjack is shown near the Callon Petroleum vicinity on March 27, 2024 in Monahans, Texas. Oil prices held steady in early trade on Wednesday after two straight days of losses, as worries about tighter supply due to uncertainty over Gaza ceasefire talks were offset by a bigger-than-expected build in U.S. crude inventories. Brent crude futures were flat at $89.42 per barrel at 0010 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 2 cents to $85.25. Meanwhile, U.S. crude stocks climbed last week by 3.03 million barrels, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures. Separately, the government raised its forecast for U.S. crude oil output, expecting an increase of 280,000 bpd to 13.21 million bpd in 2024, up 20,000 bpd from an earlier forecast from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Persons: Brent, WTI Organizations: Brent, U.S, West Texas, Iran, Organization of, Petroleum, American Petroleum Institute, U.S . Energy Information Administration, EIA, Revolutionary Guard's Locations: Monahans , Texas, Gaza, Israel, Cairo, Iran, Hormuz, Turkey

☆ Opinion: What Iran wants — and fears
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Opinion Hussein Ibish | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Iran has backed Hezbollah’s efforts to avoid an all-out war with Israel despite consistent Israeli escalation and threats. Hezbollah doesn’t want a war with Israel and Iran agrees. The potential for such US or Israeli airstrikes is among the most significant reasons Iran wants to avoid a broader conflict. Tehran has already restrained its Iraqi proxies, is working to help Hezbollah climb down and avoid a devastating Israeli attack. And Iran is probably urging the Houthis to take great care not to kill Americans or otherwise go too far.

Persons: Hussein Ibish, Read, Hussein Ibish It’s, Biden, Israel, Kataib, Saleh Al, Wissam, Amos Hochstein, Ebrahim Raisi, Shannon Stapleton, It’s Organizations: Gulf States Institute, Israel, CNN, Washington, Radwan Force, Iranian Locations: Washington, Iranian, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen, United States, Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, Saudi, That’s, Israel, Jordan, Hezbollah’s, Beirut, Tehran, Yemeni, Suez, Strait, Hormuz, Bab, Mandab

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Missiles and drones are flying in the Red Sea, disrupting one of the world's key trade arteries and a chokepoint for energy shipments headed for Europe. Last year, 12.9% of Europe's LNG went through the Red Sea from suppliers in the Middle East, mainly Qatar. That means “an extended shut-in of the Red Sea route from the Middle East poses a supply risk to Europe,” said Kaushal Ramesh, vice president at Rystad Energy. So far, there's been little to no impact on natural gas prices. Europe is getting a break because demand for natural gas is weak amid a sluggish economy.

Persons: Yemen's Houthi, it's, ”, Kaushal Ramesh, there's, ” Rystad's Ramesh, Simone Tagliapietra, Tagliapietra, Biden, Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden, Jennifer Granholm, Eurogas, Tagliapeitra, Claudia Kemfert, ___ Daly Organizations: Missiles, Union, SEA, Italy's, Europe's, Rystad Energy, WHAT'S, Energy, Industry, German Institute of Economic Research, Leuphana University Locations: FRANKFURT, Germany, Red, Europe, Italy, Russia, Ukraine, Mandab, Israel, U.S, Yemen, Africa, Suez, Qatar, China, Norway, Azerbaijan, Brussels, Iran, Hormuz, Persian, That's, ”, Asia, ” U.S, USA, EU, Washington

☆ Oil prices steady as Fed moves carefully on rate cuts, U.S. pushes for pause in Gaza war
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices were largely flat Monday as the Federal Reserve moves carefully on interest rates cuts, and the U.S. pushes for an extended pause in the Israel-Hamas War. The West Texas Intermediate contract for March dropped 31 cents, or 0.46%, to trade at $71.95 a barrel Monday morning. Powell's comments came after a much stronger jobs report than expected Friday, with the labor market adding 353,000 jobs compared to 185,000 expected. "With the economy strong like that, we feel like we can approach the question of when to begin to reduce interest rates carefully," Powell told CBS' "60 Minutes." Lower interest rates typically boost economic growth which would imply stronger crude oil demand.

Persons: Brent, Jerome Powell, Powell's, Powell, Antony Blinken, Blinken Organizations: Safeway, Federal Reserve, West Texas Intermediate, Federal, CBS, West Bank, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, U.S, Houthi Locations: Hercules , California, U.S, Israel, Gaza, East, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Iran, Strait, Hormuz, The U.S, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Red

☆ Oil edges up as geopolitical concerns support prices
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices rose in early trade on Tuesday as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continued to fuel supply concerns. "If U.S.-Iran tensions escalate, particularly through a direct confrontation, the risk rises that Iran's oil supply is adversely impacted. Iran exported 1.2-1.6 million barrels per day of crude oil through most of 2023, Dhar added, representing 1-1.5% of global oil supply. The key concern is Iran threatening a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which sees the transit of 15-20% of global oil supply," he added. Meanwhile, U.S. crude oil and distillates inventories were expected to have fallen last week while gasoline stocks were seen rising, a Reuters poll showed.

Persons: Brent, Vivek Dhar, Dhar Organizations: . West Texas, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, U.S, ANZ, Traders, Federal, Market, American Petroleum Institute, Energy Information Administration, U.S . Department of Energy Locations: Hong Kong, China, Washington, Jordan, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Hormuz, Red, U.S

JERUSALEM (AP) — Iran is “very directly involved” in ship attacks that Yemen's Houthi rebels have carried out during Israel's war against Hamas, the U.S. Navy's top Mideast commander told The Associated Press on Monday. The tempo of Houthi attacks on shipping appears to have slowed for the time being as the U.S. and its allies have increased their naval patrols in the region. A series of attacks blamed on Iran and ship seizures by Tehran followed the collapse of Iran's nuclear deal with world powers. However, Cooper maintained Iran had been directly fueling the Houthi attacks on shipping. There’s no secret there.”Cooper described the ship attacks striking the Mideast as the worst since the so-called Tanker War of the 1980s.

Persons: Yemen's, Adm, Brad Cooper, Cooper, ”, Houthi, that's, Israel —, they’re resourcing, ” Cooper, George Wikoff Organizations: JERUSALEM, Hamas, Associated Press, AP, United Nations, U.S ., Fleet, United, United Arab Emirates, 5th Fleet, Navy, military's, Command Locations: Iran, U.S, Tehran, Aden, Persian, Hormuz, Yemen's, Sanaa, Iranian, Suez, Asia, Europe, Saudi, Israel, Africa's, Egypt, Gulf, Gaza, Washington, America, American, Yemen, Abu Dhabi, United Arab, Bahrain

☆ Surging U.S. oil production may set a record in 2024, shielding consumers from Mideast war and pressuring OPEC
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Supply is forecast to grow by 1.5 million barrels per day to a new high of 103.5 million barrels per day, according to the IEA. Demand will grow by 1.2 million barrels daily, down from 2.3 million in 2023, with the post-pandemic recovery over and major economies set to slow. WTI and Brent closed out 2023 down more than 10% and OPEC+ production cuts have so far failed to lift prices. Goldman Sachs, for example, says oil prices could double if there is a prolonged disruption to shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. 'Golden era' Stronger U.S. oil production in 2023 surprised even oil industry CEOs such as Chevron's Wirth and Occidental's Vicki Hollub, they told CNBC in recent interviews.

Persons: Michael Wirth, Wirth, CNBC's Brian Sullivan, Goldman Sachs, Walt Chancellor, Daniel Yergin, Brent, Adi Imsirovic, Imsirovic, Yergin, Bob Yawger, Yawger, Matt Smith, Smith, Chevron's Wirth, Occidental's Vicki Hollub, I'm, Macquarie, Chancellor, Hollub, — Organizations: P, Energy Information Agency, Chevron, P Global, CNBC, Economic, West Texas, Center for Strategic, International Studies, OPEC, Bank of America, Oil, International Energy Agency, IEA, Brent, Mizuho, Gulf, Americas, Western Hemisphere Locations: East, U.S, Macquarie, Davos, Switzerland, Canada, United States, United Kingdom, OPEC, Brazil, Guyana, Americas, Europe, Red, Kpler, Iran, Hormuz

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