Energy Prices Surge as Middle East Conflict Disrupts Global Oil Supply

Crude oil prices jumped over 2% Thursday as the expanding U.S.-Iran conflict continues to block critical shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Major oil producers including Iraq have been forced to slash production while Qatar declared force majeure on natural gas exports.

Energy markets saw significant gains Thursday as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran continue to disrupt global oil and gas supplies through one of the world’s most critical shipping corridors.

Brent crude climbed $1.67 to reach $83.07 per barrel, marking a 2.05% increase by early Thursday trading. Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude jumped $1.94 to $76.60, representing a 2.60% gain.

The conflict expanded Wednesday following a U.S. military strike on an Iranian naval vessel near Sri Lanka. Senate Republicans also threw their support behind President Trump’s military operations against Iran, voting down a bipartisan measure that would have halted air strikes and required congressional approval for further military action against the country.

The ongoing hostilities have severely impacted regional energy production. Iraq, which ranks as OPEC’s second-largest oil producer, has been forced to reduce daily output by approximately 1.5 million barrels due to storage limitations and blocked export pathways, according to officials who spoke with Reuters.

Qatar, the Persian Gulf’s leading liquefied natural gas supplier, announced force majeure on gas shipments Wednesday. Industry sources indicate it could take a minimum of one month before production levels return to normal.

For five consecutive days, vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has remained virtually paralyzed. This waterway serves as a crucial passage for nearly 20% of the world’s energy supplies.

Britain’s maritime operations center reported a significant blast witnessed by a tanker captain positioned 30 nautical miles southeast of Kuwait’s Mubarak Al Kabeer port. A small vessel was later observed departing the explosion site.

According to a J.P. Morgan analysis shared with clients, Iran has avoided targeting most essential energy infrastructure while maintaining extremely high shipping risks. The investment bank estimates roughly 329 oil tankers remain trapped in Gulf waters.

“Storage capacity in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and prevailing energy prices are limiting factors on the length of the U.S. campaign,” the firm noted. This alliance includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.

J.P. Morgan projects that most oil production facilities could resume operations within days, with complete capacity restoration typically occurring within two to three weeks.

“While operators must gradually rebuild reservoir pressure, particularly in Iraq, where water injection is critical, the primary constraint today is logistics rather than geology,” the analysis concluded.