Oil prices posted a sharp rise this Thursday (2026) after a tanker was hit by a projectile near the coast of Saudi Arabia. The episode increased market concern about possible disruptions in global oil supply, especially amid worsening tensions between the United States and Iran.
The incident occurred about 70 nautical miles southwest of Al Shuqaiq. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Division, the impact caused a fire on board the vessel, which was brought under control by the crew. So far, there are no reports of casualties.
The escalation happened just hours after the current U.S. president, Donald Trump, hardened his tone against Tehran by promising direct attacks against Iranian infrastructure if new ships are targeted by actions in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important maritime routes for oil transportation in the world.
“From now on, whenever the Islamic Republic of Iran fires at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether with a missile, rocket, drone or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy A BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT,” Trump said.
The market response was immediate. Brent crude futures contracts for September advanced about 2%, reaching US$ 96 per barrel. Meanwhile, WTI crude, the benchmark in the United States, rose approximately 1.7%, trading at US$ 88,27 per barrel.
On the Iranian side, the reaction also came quickly. A military source cited by the state agency Tasnim said that any American offensive against the country's infrastructure would receive a proportional response.
“If the Americans attack a bridge or a power plant in Iran, Iran, in turn, will attack infrastructure and bridges in the region, including energy facilities where the United States has interests,” an unidentified Iranian military source told the state news agency Tasnim.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that the Iranian government is not "taking seriously" the possibility of an agreement with Washington. Despite this, he stressed that the United States remains "committed to diplomacy" to reduce tensions in the Middle East.
Analysts are also closely monitoring the deterioration of security in the Strait of Hormuz. HSBC highlighted, in a report released on Wednesday, that the market has once again priced in greater risks for maritime oil flows after the weakening of the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
The new episode increases uncertainty about the safety of navigation in the region and keeps investors attentive to diplomatic and military developments, which continue to directly influence oil prices and global markets.