Daily Oil Fundamentals

Desperation and Frustration

21 Aug 2026

Desperation and Frustration

The goals presumably remained the same, but the modus operandi is changing. Military adventures have not borne fruit, but economic warfare could result in the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, or so the thinking in the US Administration goes. Its President announced crushing sanctions against Iran (without elaborating) and warned allies and foes alike of the consequences for any country that supports the Persian Gulf nation.

Daily Oil Fundamentals

No de-escalation, inflation concerns grow

20 Aug 2026

No de-escalation, inflation concerns grow

There is nothing new to report from the geopolitical hotspots, really. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited, and the appetite for negotiating some kind of truce, or indeed any truce at all, is severely suppressed. The US President threatens ‘economic warfare’ on Iran and grave repercussions for anyone who supports it.

Daily Oil Fundamentals

Stalemate is the New Status Quo

19 Aug 2026

Stalemate is the New Status Quo

Dignity and ego play a more important role in shaping the outcome of the Iranian conflict than pragmatism. There is no appetite, or, to rephrase it, there is a disappointing reluctance on both sides, to resume negotiations, which might just nudge the adversaries towards a tentative armistice.

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Daily Oil Fundamentals