Brent and WTI reach new milestones
Kurir Macedonia reported that Brent crude traded at $117.08 a barrel, up 3.45%, crossing $117 for the first time since 29 April. The account said the price was the highest since April. US light crude WTI rose 3.79% to $103.24 a barrel, according to the same report.
An earlier St Vincent Times account placed Brent near $116 a barrel on Friday and described that level as a nearly six-month high. It reported a gain of almost 6% for the week, with Brent on course for a third consecutive weekly advance.
Reports point to Iran-related supply concerns
St Vincent Times attributed the rise to fears that renewed US strikes against Iran could threaten global oil supplies. Kurir Macedonia, citing CNBC, also linked the rally to continuing concern about the Middle East and supply security.
Kurir Macedonia reported that Tehran had threatened oil facilities, subsea cables, data centres and artificial-intelligence facilities in the Persian Gulf region if a new US-Israeli offensive were launched against Iran. The account presented that statement as part of the market backdrop rather than confirmation of an attack or supply disruption.
Iran casualty context
For Iran, national authorities reported 3,375 people killed and 33,806 injured in cumulative figures published by the World Health Organization. The totals cover reported people nationwide and do not separate civilians from military personnel. The WHO report does not provide a precise cutoff for the country figures and says Iran’s totals were carried forward, with updated cumulative deaths and injuries after June not reported. These are not casualties from this week’s market developments.