Crude oil hovered around $93 per barrel on Friday, extending gains into a third session, as Washington considered sending another aircraft carrier to the Middle East. The move heightened concerns over a potential escalation of conflict with Iran and the risk of further disruptions to regional energy supplies.
The Pentagon is also weighing the deployment of 10,000 sailors and Marines to the Persian Gulf, a step that would give President Donald Trump additional military options should he choose to intensify strikes on Iran. Trump has reportedly told advisers that he expects to resume bombing Iran after the November midterm elections.
The latest flare-up in tensions comes just as crude shipments from the Middle East have largely returned to prewar levels. However, markets remain skeptical that this recovery can be sustained without a durable agreement to end the conflict. At least three tankers were attacked this week while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran, along with its Houthi allies, has also targeted refineries across the region.
