Brent news for July 23, 2026
Brent crude has surged toward $100 a barrel as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabian oil tankers disrupt key supply routes, raising fears that the conflict in the Middle East could choke off a significant portion of global oil exports. The escalation has also spilled into financial markets, with the resulting oil price spike stoking inflation concerns and driving a sell-off in global bonds.
How the day unfolded
Geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea are stoking supply concerns for crude, as Houthi rebels claim strikes on two Saudi oil tankers and continue to deploy missiles and drones against ships in the southern Red Sea. Meanwhile, U.S. commercial crude stockpiles posted a weekly build, suggesting near-term domestic supply is ample. These opposing factors are keeping markets focused on the risk of disruptions to key shipping routes.
Brent crude is being supported by renewed geopolitical risks after Houthi rebels claimed strikes on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, raising concerns about disruptions to a key shipping route. Meanwhile, supply-side developments are mixed, as Abu Dhabi approved a major new gas project to boost domestic output, while U.S. commercial crude stockpiles posted a weekly build.
Brent crude is being driven by fresh geopolitical tensions after Iran-backed Houthis attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, raising supply risks, while the broader war on Iran has boosted Norway’s national oil company profits. At the same time, Abu Dhabi’s approval of a $6.2 billion gas project signals efforts to boost long-term supply, even as US refineries run at breakneck speeds and a diesel crisis strains global farmers, highlighting persistent fuel-supply tightness.
Geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea escalated as Iran-backed Houthis attacked two Saudi Arabian oil tankers, heightening supply risks for crude shipments. Meanwhile, US refineries are running at high speeds due to choked fuel supplies from global wars, and a commercial crude stockpile build offers some supply relief. These mixed signals—from militant strikes to inventory changes—are keeping the market focused on potential disruptions and near-term availability.
Brent crude oil prices have surged past $98 a barrel, driven by renewed geopolitical tensions after Iran-backed Houthi militants attacked two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea, and claimed attacks on other vessels. This supply disruption risk, compounded by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, has pushed oil prices higher, contributing to a global bond sell-off and raising fuel costs for industries and consumers.
Headlines (33)
- 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
- Norway’s national oil company profits double to $11.5bn amid war on Iranwww.theguardian.com · Jul 22, 08:44 UTC
- Can the Suez save Asian oil consumers after Houthis shut Bab al-Mandeb?www.aljazeera.com · Jul 22, 12:47 UTC
- Houthis deploy missiles and drones to attack ships in southern Red Sea, naval group sayswww.cnbc.com · Jul 22, 13:41 UTC
- U.S. Commercial Crude Oil Stockpiles Post Weekly Buildwww.wsj.com · Jul 22, 15:26 UTC
- Houthis Claim Strikes on 2 Saudi Oil Tankers in Red Seawww.nytimes.com · 00:13 UTC
- Iran-backed Houthis attack two Saudi Arabian oil tankerswww.ft.com · 03:32 UTC
- US oil refineries run at breakneck speeds as wars choke fuel supplieswww.ft.com · 04:04 UTC
- Diesel Crisis Puts Poor Farmers Around the World at Riskwww.nytimes.com · 04:05 UTC
- Apollo Target easyJet Posts Profit Drop on Lower Demand, Fuel-Price Volatilitywww.wsj.com · 07:04 UTC
- Stock Market Today: Oil Prices Jump After Houthis Claim Attacks on Red Sea Tankerswww.wsj.com · 08:15 UTC
- Oil Tops $98 a Barrel, Tech Earnings Worry Marketswww.wsj.com · 08:17 UTC
- Oil price surge drives global bond sell-offwww.ft.com · 09:23 UTC
- Global Bond Yields Jump as Oil Prices Surge, Inflation Fears Mountwww.wsj.com · 09:49 UTC
- Oil-Rich Saudi Arabia Isn’t Short on Energy. Here’s Why It’s Going Nuclear.www.nytimes.com · 10:06 UTC
- Houthi attacks threaten to cut off Saudi Arabia’s oil lifelinewww.ft.com · 10:15 UTC
- Oil nears $100 a barrel after Houthis claim strikes on Saudi Arabian tankerswww.marketwatch.com · 11:09 UTC
- How Houthi strikes on oil tankers will impact the Middle East warwww.france24.com · 12:29 UTC
- Oil hits $100 for first time since Maywww.ft.com · 13:02 UTC
- Investors Are Getting Pickier With Their AI Power Playswww.wsj.com · 13:28 UTC
- Oil price passes $100 a barrel again as Middle East conflict escalateswww.theguardian.com · 13:37 UTC
- Brent crude tops $100 a barrel. How the next stop could be $120www.cnbc.com · 13:42 UTC
- Iran War Live Updates: Oil Prices Hit $100 a Barrel After Attacks in Red Seawww.nytimes.com · 14:05 UTC
- Brent Hits $100 Again as Houthi Attacks Threaten Further Supply Squeezewww.wsj.com · 14:28 UTC
- How shipping insurance rates are rising, as Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb shut downwww.aljazeera.com · 14:41 UTC
- Middle East oil producers step up plans to bypass the Strait of Hormuzwww.cbsnews.com · 15:42 UTC
- Short-sighted stock market can no longer brush off war: 'It's too hard to ignore $100 oil'www.cnbc.com · 16:42 UTC
- Running on borrowed time: The world's oil buffer is shrinking as inflation risks buildwww.cnbc.com · 17:13 UTC
- Oil surges past $100 in a first since May as Middle East conflicts ragewww.aljazeera.com · 17:33 UTC
- Resumption of oil exports: Will Yemen recover its economic lifeline?www.aljazeera.com · 19:49 UTC
- Stock futures are little changed as traders look to recover from oil-driven sell-off: Live updateswww.cnbc.com · 23:10 UTC
Scheduled events
As of 23:22 UTC
- 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 — Foreign Direct Investment ytd/y · CNY
- 2026-07-24 — RMPI m/m · forecast -1.5% · CAD
- 2026-07-24 — IPPI m/m · forecast -0.4% · CAD
- 2026-07-24 — NHPI m/m · forecast -0.2% · CAD
Not investment advice. For informational purposes only.