---
title: "Oil prices rise amid escalation in the Persian Gulf: US strikes on Iran and record drop in US inventories"
description: "Brent and WTI oil rose by 0.7% amid new US strikes on Iran and a drop in raw material inventories in America. Experts note an increase in the geopolitical premium due to the risk of supply disruptions following the downed Apache helicopter and the retaliatory attack. 🛢️🚁📈"
date: 2026-06-10T07:28:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/oil-prices-rise-us-strikes-on-iran-and-inventory-drop
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Oil prices rise amid escalation in the Persian Gulf: US strikes on Iran and record drop in US inventories

![Silhouettes of oil rigs at sunset, symbolizing rising oil prices due to escalation in the Persian Gulf](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/10/neft-dorozhaet-udary-ssha-po-iranu-i-padenie-zapasov/neft-dorozhaet-udary-ssha-po-iranu-i-padenie-zapasov-1.webp)

Global energy markets reacted with a sharp rise in prices against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions in the Persian Gulf. Prices for "black gold" went up after news emerged of new US military strikes on targets in Iran, as well as following the publication of data showing a significant reduction in raw material inventories in the US.

### Price increase and geopolitical premium

Trading on exchanges showed a confident rise in key oil benchmarks. Brent crude futures rose by 66 cents, or 0.7%, reaching $92.11 per barrel. The US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) also gained 0.7%, reaching $88.80.

According to experts, the main driver of the growth is renewed trader concerns regarding military risks. Senior market analyst at Phillip Nova, Priyanka Sachdeva, noted that the latest attacks by the US and Iran have once again drawn market participants' attention to the possibility of supply disruptions.

"Although diplomatic efforts continue, the latest exchange of strikes has once again raised the geopolitical risk premium in oil markets," the expert explained.

### Situation with inventories in the US

In addition to geopolitics, fundamental data from the US market also influenced the price increase. According to the report, crude oil inventories in the country decreased by a substantial 9.12 million barrels last week. A decrease in gasoline inventories of 1.19 million barrels was also recorded. Such an imbalance between supply and demand traditionally puts upward pressure on prices.

### Chronology of the conflict escalation

The background for the sharp price jump was created by a series of events that occurred in early June. On Tuesday, June 9, US President Donald Trump stated that negotiations with Iran on the agreement were in the "final stage" and suggested that the document could be signed in the coming days.

However, on the same day, the situation changed drastically. Trump reported that on Monday evening, Iran shot down a US Apache helicopter. According to CNN, the attack was carried out using a "Shahed" type drone.

In response to the incident, the White House chief promised that the US would launch a retaliatory strike. The promise was fulfilled in the night of June 10: the US and Iran exchanged mutual strikes, which became the catalyst for the rise in energy prices.