Iran Strikes Gulf Oil, Prices Surge

Satellite maps and on‑the‑ground reports show Iran’s missile and drone strikes have peppered key Gulf oil terminals, pipelines and offshore platforms. The disruption has pushed Brent crude above $90 a barrel, inflating revenues for US‑listed energy majors that own stakes in the region. Yet the same firms face heightened exposure: facilities are now within striking distance, insurance premiums are spiking and operational downtime could erode the windfall. Analysts warn that each new attack could trigger a cascade of supply cuts, tightening global markets just as demand rebounds from pandemic lows. The picture is a classic high‑risk, high‑reward scenario for investors and policymakers alike.

Investors, insurers and energy firms must reassess exposure to Gulf assets, balancing short‑term profit spikes against the looming threat of further strikes.

Disruption in the Gulf threatens the world’s most liquid oil supply, forcing refiners to seek costlier alternatives and nudging prices upward. Central banks watching inflation may feel pressure to tighten policy, while geopolitics could reshape trade routes. In short, a flare‑up here reverberates through every corner of the global economy.