Oil prices ticked higher in early Asian trade on Tuesday following military strikes on strategically positioned Iranian infrastructure, re-injecting a geopolitical risk premium into global energy markets.
According to market data from TradingView, Brent crude futures advanced 48 cents, or 0.5%, to $105.25 a barrel by 0104 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude rose 47 cents to $96.93.
The immediate trigger was a reported military attack on Iran’s Qeshm Island. American officials described the defensive maneuver as necessary to safeguard commercial shipping lanes operating near the narrow maritime chokepoint.
The targeted island hosts a naval facility and underground missile site situated directly at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for one-fifth of global daily petroleum consumption.
Tuesday’s upward movement halted a steep sell-off from the prior session, where Brent benchmark prices slumped over 7% to $104.77 a barrel. That drop was fueled by diplomatic progress during Qatari-mediated negotiations.
Market sentiment remains volatile after eight months of continuous regional conflict. Traders continue to track supply vulnerability as persistent hostilities threaten energy flows and trade corridors across the Middle East.
