US-Iran conflict: Crude oil prices hit a month-high

लगानी न्यूज

४ श्रावण २०८३, सोमबार १४:३४July 20, 2026

. International crude oil prices fell to a one-month high on Monday due to escalating military tensions between the United States and Iran.

Meanwhile, Asian stock markets traded mixed as investors weighed the potential impact of the Middle East war.TAG_OPEN_div_38

Crude prices have soared over concerns that the Strait of Hormuz, which transports about a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil, could be disrupted as the military confrontation between the United States and Iran escalated over the past week.TAG_OPEN_div_36

Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the benchmark of the U.S., both rose more than TAG_OPEN_div_34 four percent over the weekend. Brent rose to $91 a barrel on Monday, hitting its highest level since June 11.

This increase comes after the US carried out more airstrikes on Iranian military targets and Iran retaliated against US and allied military assets in the Gulf.TAG_OPEN_div_32

With rising geopolitical tensions in the market, investors are confused about the economic outlook.TAG_OPEN_div_30 High oil prices have raised concerns that inflation could rise again and affect central banks’ interest rate cut plans.

“The market is facing two headwinds at the same time,” said Stephen Innes, an analyst at SPI Asset Management.TAG_OPEN_div_28 With geopolitical risks driving up oil prices, and with US inflation falling and labour markets softening, a new cycle of widespread inflation is unlikely. ”

He said that if oil prices remain high for a long time, it could reduce household spending and put pressure on economic growth.TAG_OPEN_div_26

Asian stock markets traded mixed on Monday.TAG_OPEN_div_24 Markets in Hong Kong and Shanghai rose sharply on expectations that China will introduce new measures to boost the economy. Hong Kong’s index climbed more than 2 percent and Shanghai’s index climbed 1.32 percent. Markets in Taipei, Manila and Singapore also rose.

Since then, markets in Seoul, Sydney and Wellington have been cautious.TAG_OPEN_div_22 Investors have become more cautious after all three major indexes on Wall Street closed lower on Friday.

Likewise, gold price fell by 0.40 per cent and silver by 1 per cent in the international market despite the geo-TAG_OPEN_div_20 political tension.