Oil prices jump on renewed US-Iran hostilities

Published May 8, 2026 Updated May 8, 2026 09:55am

Oil prices have risen about 1 per cent after renewed fighting broke out between the US and Iran, Reuters reports.

Brent crude futures are up $1.20, or 1.2pc, at $101.26 a barrel as of 0356 GMT. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) US crude futures rose by 85 cents, or 0.9pc, to $95.66 a barrel. The benchmarks were up more than 3pc at market open.

The gains snapped three days of decline on reports this week that the US and Iran were close to agreeing to a peace deal that would end the fighting but put off larger issues around Iran’s nuclear programme. For the week, both contracts are still set to fall about 6pc.

“The market is on the cusp of a complete breakdown. Price formation is no longer anchored in a pragmatic reading of the war’s trajectory or the physical realities in the Strait of Hormuz,” said Vandana Hari, founder of oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights.

Opinion

Editorial

Shifting climate tone
Updated 08 May, 2026

Shifting climate tone

Our financial system is geared towards short-term, risk-averse lending, while climate adaptation and green infrastructure require patient, long-term capital.
Honour and impunity
08 May, 2026

Honour and impunity

THE Sindh Assembly’s discussion on karo-kari this week reminds us of the enduring nature of ‘honour’ killings...
No real change
08 May, 2026

No real change

THE Indian sports ministry’s move to allow Pakistani players and teams to participate in multilateral events ...
A breakthrough?
07 May, 2026

A breakthrough?

The whole world would welcome an end to this pointless war.
Missed opportunity
07 May, 2026

Missed opportunity

A BIG opportunity to industrialise Pakistan has just passed us by. This has been reconfirmed by the investment...
Punishing dissent
07 May, 2026

Punishing dissent

THE Sindh government’s treatment of the Aurat March this week was a disgraceful assault on democratic rights. What...