Crude Oil Prices Rise as Tanker Attacks Deepen Supply Fears | September 10, 2026

Brent crude prices remained above the $100-a-barrel mark on Thursday, September 10, 2026, as fresh attacks on shipping near the Strait of Hormuz heightened concerns over oil supply disruptions from the Middle East. 

Brent crude futures rose 0.1% to $101.34 a barrel by 0107 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude gained 0.5% to $96.55 a barrel. 

Tanker Attacks Raise Supply Concerns 

Iran said it had attacked 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz after the United States sank five Iranian oil tankers. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps also warned that it would step up its response to further attacks. 

The latest escalation has increased uncertainty over oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a major global energy route. Oil and gas flows through the waterway remain well below levels seen before the conflict. 

Brent Crude Climbs Above $100 

Brent crude settled at $101.21 a barrel on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, up $3.29, or 3.4%, after reaching $101.58. US WTI crude gained $3.02, or 3.25%, to close at $96.05 a barrel. Both benchmarks ended at their highest levels since May 22. 

Brent had generally remained below the $100 threshold since late May as traders expected the conflict to remain contained. The renewed attacks have changed those expectations and brought supply concerns back to the forefront. 

Strait of Hormuz Flows Remain Low 

The Strait of Hormuz normally handles about one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies. Recent shipping activity has fallen sharply, with flows recently dropping below 2 million barrels per day compared with around 8 million to 9 million barrels per day before fighting resumed on August 30. 

Six commodity vessels passed through the strait on Tuesday, down from nine a day earlier and below the 10-day average of around 12 vessels, according to preliminary Kpler data. 

Read More: Cochin Shipyard Share Price in Focus as Board Approves 50:50 Maritime JV with Drydocks World Dubai! 

Wider Regional Risks Add to Pressure 

A tanker carrying around 2 million barrels of Iraqi fuel oil was hit by a drone in Iraqi territorial waters, while several merchant vessels in the Gulf were reportedly hit by disabling fire. A seafarer was also killed in an incident involving the Hercules Star tanker off Dubai. 

Attacks by Iran-backed Houthis on Saudi energy facilities have added another layer of risk, with concerns that disruption could spread to oil infrastructure and alternative shipping routes through the Red Sea. 

Conclusion 

Brent crude remains above $100 as shipping disruptions and attacks across the region threaten to tighten oil supplies further. Market attention is likely to remain centred on developments around the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Middle East conflict. 

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