Tom Kool

Brent crude fell back to around $80 per barrel after renewed optimism over a potential US-Iran draft agreement eased geopolitical fears, even as President Trump criticized US refiners for high fuel profits.

Conflicting signals from Washington and Tehran keep oil markets on edge as Iran weighs a permanent Hormuz shipping ban while Trump insists a deal is within reach.

Iran has effectively rejected expectations of an imminent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, laying out sweeping conditions that would require the United States to fundamentally change its policy toward Tehran.

Hormuz tensions are flaring again as Iranian exports collapse, pushing Brent toward $87 and raising the risk of another run toward $100.

Brent heads toward a 5% weekly gain as stalled US-Iran talks and Hormuz attacks push oil prices toward $100. Friday, August 14, 2026

By Tom Kool - Aug 17, 2026, 7:00 PM CDT Power Metals is advancing what it describes as North America's only cesium project at a time when

Gulf oil producers are finding new ways around the Strait of Hormuz, but bypassing the world's biggest oil chokepoint creates new risks.

Hormuz traffic remains near a standstill as Trump's ‘Economic D-Day' campaign pushes Brent closer to $100. Friday, August 21, 2026

Hormuz traffic remains near a standstill as Trump's 'Economic D-Day' campaign pushes Brent closer to $100. Friday, August 21, 2026

U.S. sanctions pressure on Iran intensifies, but Pakistani mediation hopes push Brent back to $89. US Blockade Leaves Iran's Oil Trade on Borrowed Time