Brent news for July 22, 2026
Oil prices have risen to a six-week high as hopes for de-escalation with Iran diminish, while Houthi missile and drone attacks on Red Sea shipping continue to threaten supply routes. A sharp jump in profits from Norway’s national oil company amid the conflict with Iran further underscores the geopolitical risk premium embedded in crude. These upward pressures are partly offset by a weekly build in U.S. commercial crude inventories and long-term supply additions from new gas projects in Abu Dhabi.
How the day unfolded
Brent crude remains sensitive to escalating US-Iran military conflict, with continued airstrikes and rising war costs—now estimated at $37.5 billion—heightening supply disruption risks in the Middle East. Norway's national oil company reported a doubling of profits to $11.5 billion, partly reflecting the impact of the conflict on energy markets. The ongoing hostilities keep geopolitical risk elevated for crude.
Renewed US military strikes against Iran and escalating diplomatic tensions are keeping the Middle East conflict in focus, a key factor for oil markets given the region's role in global production. The conflict has already cost an estimated $37.5 billion, with further strikes and defense funding requests signaling no immediate de-escalation. This ongoing geopolitical risk continues to underpin supply concerns for Brent crude.
Brent crude prices have risen to a six-week high as hopes for de-escalation in Iran fade, with Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping adding to supply disruption fears. At the same time, a weekly build in U.S. commercial crude stockpiles and new gas projects in Abu Dhabi signal ongoing efforts to boost global supply, but the market remains focused on geopolitical risks.
Headlines (15)
- Middle East: Civilians again under fire as US-Iran strikes continuenews.un.org · Jul 20, 20:26 UTC
- Adnoc to invest in $6.2bn natural gas schemes as UAE bids for self-sufficiencywww.ft.com · Jul 21, 05:42 UTC
- Adnoc, Partners to Proceed With $6.2 Billion Umm Shaif Gas Cap Projectwww.wsj.com · Jul 21, 06:10 UTC
- Abu Dhabi approves $6.2 billion gas project to boost UAE supplywww.cnbc.com · Jul 21, 06:51 UTC
- Pete Hegseth faces questions over $87.6bn additional funding for Pentagonwww.theguardian.com · Jul 21, 19:29 UTC
- Guterres calls for stepping up diplomatic efforts to end US-Iran conflictnews.un.org · Jul 21, 20:28 UTC
- US defense chief Hegseth puts Iran war cost at $37.5bn so farwww.aljazeera.com · Jul 21, 21:26 UTC
- Iran war live: US launches new attacks; Hegseth says war has cost $37.5bnwww.aljazeera.com · 00:19 UTC
- US estimates cost of war in Iran at $37.5 billion as it renews strikes on Tehranwww.france24.com · 06:30 UTC
- Norway’s national oil company profits double to $11.5bn amid war on Iranwww.theguardian.com · 08:44 UTC
- Oil prices climb to six-week high as hopes of de-escalation in Iran diminishwww.marketwatch.com · 11:23 UTC
- $37.5bn cost of Iran war revealed as senator warns of ‘another forever war’ | First Thingwww.theguardian.com · 11:59 UTC
- Can the Suez save Asian oil consumers after Houthis shut Bab al-Mandeb?www.aljazeera.com · 12:47 UTC
- Houthis deploy missiles and drones to attack ships in southern Red Sea, naval group sayswww.cnbc.com · 13:41 UTC
- U.S. Commercial Crude Oil Stockpiles Post Weekly Buildwww.wsj.com · 15:26 UTC
Scheduled events
As of 22:44 UTC
- 2026-07-22 — Foreign Direct Investment ytd/y · CNY
- 2026-07-22 — Crude Oil Inventories · forecast -2.0M · USD
- 2026-07-23 — Foreign Direct Investment ytd/y · CNY
- 2026-07-23 — Core Retail Sales m/m · forecast 1.3% · CAD
- 2026-07-23 — Retail Sales m/m · forecast 1.0% · CAD
- 2026-07-23 — CB Leading Index m/m · CNY
- 2026-07-24 — NHPI m/m · forecast -0.2% · CAD
- 2026-07-24 — IPPI m/m · forecast -0.4% · CAD
Not investment advice. For informational purposes only.