A new wave of escalation in the Middle East has once again become the main driver of the oil market. As of September 9, 2026, Brent futures rose 1.3% to $99.22 per barrel, while American WTI gained 1.2% to $94.13. Analysts emphasize that since the beginning of August, the price of Brent has risen by approximately 25%, making the current rally one of the sharpest in recent months. The market is watching the psychologically important $100 mark with concern, which, according to experts, is not just a symbolic threshold but a signal of possible serious consequences for the global economy.

Events of September 8: From Houthi Attacks to Strikes on Tankers

The key trigger for the price surge was the sharp escalation of the conflict on September 8. First, the Houthis attacked several cities in Saudi Arabia. In response, US military forces struck several Iranian oil tankers, and earlier, according to available data, more than 100 targets on Iranian territory. Iran, in turn, attacked a US military base in Jordan and ships. In the view of analysts, this chain of events is placing additional pressure on the market: regional energy infrastructure and key maritime routes have once again come under attack, intensifying concerns about the continuity of supplies.

The Strait of Hormuz and the Rerouting of Exports

Saudi Arabia has already partially rerouted its oil exports around the Strait of Hormuz — one of the most vulnerable nodes of global energy logistics. However, according to experts, if attacks on the kingdom continue, ensuring stable supplies to the global market will become significantly more difficult. In this context, analysts draw attention to a recent statement by US President Donald Trump, who named an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, indicating an attempt by Washington to hedge against the complete closure of this key route.

Inflation Risks for Asia and the Global Economy

Beyond the direct effects on suppliers, rising oil prices trigger secondary inflationary processes. Analysts warn that Asian countries are particularly vulnerable, many of which heavily depend on imported energy. The rise in oil prices automatically accelerates inflation in these economies, which may force central banks to tighten monetary policy and slow down growth. Thus, a local military conflict is turning into a global macroeconomic risk.

Contradictory Data

There is a discrepancy between the primary summary and a number of specialized publications regarding the exact quote. In the main summary, the price of Brent is fixed at $99.22 per barrel, i.e., still below the psychological threshold. At the same time, several sources report that Brent exceeded $100 per barrel for the first time since July 24. Both versions agree on the overall picture — a sharp rise against the backdrop of escalation — but differ on whether the $100 mark was actually breached at the time of publication. This may be explained by differences in the timing of the quote (intraday peak versus close) and requires clarification during verification.