Global crude benchmarks retreated slightly on Thursday morning as market participants balanced lingering supply disruption concerns against fresh uncertainties surrounding military escalations between the United States and Iran.
According to market data reported early Thursday, Brent crude futures fell 43 cents, or 0.45 %, to $95.20 a barrel at, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate dropped 24 cents, or 0.26%, to $90.77.
The modest decline comes following a sharp multi-session rally that pushed prices to multi-week highs, driven by fear that escalating strikes could throttle commercial shipping throughput in the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway.
The brief pull-back reflects immediate profit-taking after crude surged more than $4 earlier in the week, marking the largest single-day gain since late July for both major benchmarks.
Uncertainty remains elevated across global markets as persistent maritime risks through the Gulf offset broader macroeconomic headwinds, keeping energy prices volatile while traders continuously evaluate physical supply security.
