Brent crude extended recent gains18 Jun 2025 05:55
Brent crude oil futures extended its recent gains toward $77 per barrel on Wednesday, near its highest level since January, as the Iran-Israel conflict entered its sixth day, continuing to fuel fears of supply disruptions. Israel’s military confirmed it had launched strikes near Tehran and detected missile launches from Iran, with interception efforts underway. President Trump also met with his national security team, sparking speculation that the US may join Israel’s attack, raising fears of a wider regional escalation. Nevertheless, Iran’s crude-exporting infrastructure has so far been spared, with most of the fallout limited to shipping. The oil market has also remained relatively stable, supported by ample global supply, including rising OPEC+ output and record-high US production. Meanwhile, US industry data showed crude inventories dropped by over 10 million barrels last week, potentially marking the largest draw since last summer if confirmed by official figures.