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Oil
Source: Newsmaker.id
Oil prices rose again on Tuesday (September 15), with Brent trading around US$107.22 per barrel and WTI at US$103.29 per barrel. This increase occurred after reports of new Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and Iranian attacks on ships in the Gulf raised concerns about global energy supply.
Saudi Arabia shut down the crucial East-West pipeline after drones launched from Iraq damaged it. The pipeline serves as a strategic alternative route to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, adding to pressure on an already tight oil market.
Al Jazeera reported that the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said 13 civilians were injured on Monday after the Houthis launched a wave of ballistic missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia. This escalation increases the risk that the Yemeni conflict could again impact the region's energy infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Iranian military said it had destroyed a sophisticated US drone over the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions escalated after US President Donald Trump said Washington could resume its campaign against Iran and seize control of its oil.
US Central Command also denied the IRGC's claim that the Panamanian-flagged oil tanker, El Gaia, struck a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM stated that the vessel had previously been hit by an Iranian missile and rendered inoperable, and accused the IRGC of attempting to intimidate commercial shipping in the strait.
Newsmaker Analysis: The rise in Brent to US$107.22 and WTI to US$103.29 indicates the market is still pricing in a substantial risk premium for oil prices. The closure of the Saudi East-West pipeline, Houthi attacks, and Iran-US tensions keep the risk of supply disruptions high. If the escalation continues, oil prices are likely to remain high and trigger renewed inflation concerns. However, because prices have already risen sharply, the market is also vulnerable to a rapid correction if there are signs of de-escalation or news of new diplomacy. (asd)