Crude oil prices rise on Middle East tensions as USD weakens
Crude oil prices have reached two-month highs due to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, decoupling from the US dollar which is currently weakening. The European Central Bank faces a potential stagflationary dilemma as rising energy costs threaten to dampen growth while inflation risks persist.
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US Imposes New Tariffs; Escalation in Red Sea, Strait of Hormuz
The US has implemented new tariffs (10-12.5%) on 60 trading partners, including South Korea and Japan, signaling a protectionist shift. Concurrently, maritime and regional tensions are escalating with Houthi forces claiming a lethal attack and blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and multiple reports of explosions on Iran's Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz, attributed by Iranian state media to unconfirmed US missile strikes. Iran also reports 55 fatalities from US strikes since June 27, while denying involvement in an alleged attack on a Kuwaiti power station.