Oil prices declined on Friday, extending losses from the previous session, after US President Donald Trump cancelled plans to strike Iran, according to a Reuters report published by The Hindu Business Line. The decision reduced fears of an escalation of hostilities following tit-for-tat attacks earlier in the week.
Brent futures fell $1.21, or 1.3 per cent, to $89.17 a barrel at 0042 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell $1.23, or 1.4 per cent, to $86.48. On a weekly basis, Brent was 4.2 per cent lower, while WTI was down 4.4 per cent.
Market reaction to cancelled strikes
Trump, who had threatened to hit Iran "very hard," called off planned strikes on Thursday, saying discussions with Iran had progressed. However, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported that Tehran had not approved the text of any agreement.
"While this could, of course, be yet another false dawn, the market's reaction has been both swift and decisive," said IG market analyst Tony Sycamore.
Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint
On Wednesday, Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, saying any vessel attempting to pass through would come under fire. Tehran's months-long blockade of the strait, which normally carries a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, has kept oil prices elevated. The US military said on social media that commercial ships continued to transit the waterway.
Price outlook and upside risks
Even as oil prices correct downwards, "as long as the price can hold above support in the low $80s, the risks remain firmly skewed to the upside," IG's Sycamore said.
For international trade executives, the cancellation of strikes provides a temporary reprieve for shipping and fuel costs, but the unresolved situation in the Strait of Hormuz means supply chains for crude oil and LNG remain vulnerable. Importers and exporters relying on Gulf routes should monitor US-Iran diplomatic signals and consider alternative sourcing or hedging strategies.
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