Brent Crude Posts a Mild Gain After US Threat Against Iran

Oil prices in global markets reversed the previous day's decline on Friday, August 14, 2026 (23 Mordad 1405), after the United States threatened to intensify hostile measures against Iran. According to Bourse News, Brent crude futures rose 0.1 percent to 87.08 dollars a barrel, and US West Texas Intermediate crude gained a similar margin to 81.31 dollars a barrel. Both benchmarks, which had closed down more than 2 percent on Thursday, are on track for a weekly gain of about 4 percent.

Citing Reuters, the report said the United States warned on Thursday that it could maintain its naval blockade of Iran indefinitely and increase economic pressure on Tehran, even as US Energy Information Administration data showed US commercial crude inventories rose 17.4 million barrels in the week to August 7, the largest weekly build since January 2023.