At approximately 1:30 PM Vietnam time, North Sea Brent crude futures rose $1.26 (1.2%) to $103.17 per barrel. This marks the first time in over two weeks that Brent crude has surpassed the $100 per barrel mark. Simultaneously, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude also increased by $1.20 (1.3%) to $94.16 per barrel.
Earlier, on April 22, both of these key commodities rose by more than $3 due to a sharp drop in US oil inventories and increasingly dim prospects for peace in the Gulf region. Analysts from ING Group believe the market is reassessing risks as hopes for a diplomatic solution fade.
Tensions continued to escalate when Iran seized two cargo ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz on April 22, tightening control at this strategic choke point. This waterway was a vital route, transporting approximately 20% of the world's daily oil supply before the conflict erupted on February 28.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy continues to blockade Iran's sea trade routes. Security and maritime sources say the U.S. military has intercepted at least three Iranian-flagged oil tankers in Asian waters, forcing them to divert from areas near India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.
Although US President Donald Trump has agreed to extend the ceasefire as proposed by Pakistani mediators, the two sides have yet to find common ground. The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament and chief negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, emphasized that a comprehensive ceasefire would only be meaningful if the US completely lifted its blockade. Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump has not yet set a date for the end of this extended ceasefire.
Asian and European countries are stepping up their oil purchases from the United States. The latest data shows that the total volume of US exports of crude oil and petroleum products has increased by 137,000 barrels per day, setting a record of 12.88 million barrels per day.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) also recently released a report showing a sharp decline in the country's fuel inventories. While commercial crude oil inventories increased by 1.9 million barrels, exceeding the forecast of a 1.2 million barrel decrease, gasoline inventories fell by 4.6 million barrels, far exceeding the forecast of a 1.5 million barrel decrease. Similarly, inventories of refined petroleum products also decreased by 3.4 million barrels, compared to the experts' forecast of a 2.5 million barrel decrease.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thi-truong-tien-te/gia-dau-chau-a-tiep-da-tang-do-dam-phan-my-iran-be-tac-20260423154403830.htm
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