【Oil Price Trend】Brent Crude Futures Break Through $110 Level; Analyst: If the Situation Escalates, $120 May Not Be the Ceiling but Rather the Starting Point

SocialAnxietyStaker · 2026-03-19T03:45:16+00:00

The Middle East conflict continues to drive oil prices higher, with Brent crude rising to $111.4, marking a near 50% increase. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz faces disruptions, causing a significant decline in oil production. Experts warn that if the situation escalates, oil prices could surge well above $120. Trump has expressed concern about the Middle East situation and hopes to avoid attacks on Iran.

SocialAnxietyStaker

2026-03-19 03:45:16

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The attack on the most critical energy facilities in the Middle East has raised concerns among investors. The ongoing Middle East war, which has lasted for three weeks, may cause even more severe impacts. Oil prices rose: Brent crude oil increased by 3.7% on Thursday to $111.4, and NYMEX crude oil rose by 1.1% to $97.4.

Since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict, oil prices have surged approximately 50%. The conflict has brought chaos to the region, disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and significantly reducing oil and natural gas production. However, Iran’s upstream energy industry has largely remained unaffected, which may help contain the escalation and prevent a larger impact on long-term supply.

Haris Khurshid, Chief Investment Officer of Karobaar Capital LP in Chicago, said the market still underestimates the risk that this incident could quickly escalate into a broader impact on energy infrastructure in the Gulf region and has not fully assessed its effects. He stated:

“If the situation escalates, $120 Brent is not the ceiling but the starting point. $140 to $160 is also not out of the question.”

Reports indicate that U.S. President Trump was aware of the attack on Israel’s South Pars oil field in advance but does not want further attacks on Iran’s energy facilities.

Will Todman, senior researcher at the Middle East Program of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that the pressure on the Strait of Hormuz means Trump cannot simply declare victory and withdraw, as this would not address the root issues. He also mentioned that Trump has many options to increase pressure on Iran, including attempting to seize Hark Island or striking Iran’s energy production infrastructure, which would lead to further increases in energy prices.

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