How the attack on Iran could impact the global oil market and economy

Core Viewpoint - The joint U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran poses a significant risk of oil supply disruption in the Middle East, which could potentially lead to a global economic recession [1] Oil Market Impact - Traders are currently underestimating the threat of Iranian retaliation to the U.S. attack, which could significantly impact oil prices [2] - Crude oil future prices are expected to rise by $5 to $7 per barrel following the attack, with Brent crude prices recently settling at $72.48 per barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate at $67.02 per barrel [3] Strait of Hormuz Significance - Iran's potential actions could make the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for commercial traffic, possibly driving oil prices above $100 per barrel [4] - The Strait of Hormuz is crucial, with over 14 million barrels per day flowing through it in 2025, accounting for a third of the world's total seaborne crude exports [5] Global Economic Consequences - A prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz could guarantee a global recession, as it is a vital route for oil and liquid natural gas exports [5][7] - Hoarding behavior is expected from major Asian oil importers if the Strait is closed, leading to intense bidding wars and further price increases [8] Alternative Supply Routes - Only a small fraction of crude passing through the Strait can be redirected, with existing pipelines in Saudi Arabia and the UAE providing limited alternatives [9] Military Actions and Insurance Implications - Iran's missile strikes on U.S. bases in the region could disrupt traffic through the Strait, affecting shipping and insurance rates for tanker travel [10][11] Strategic Reserves and Crisis Management - The U.S. could utilize its Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which currently holds about 415 million barrels, to mitigate price spikes [12] - However, the scale and duration of a full crisis in the Strait of Hormuz could exceed the offsets provided by strategic stocks [13]