Oil slips as the US weighs easing shipping sanctions
Brent fell to about $104.30 after Wednesday's gains on Hormuz attacks.
Oil · Thursday, October 15, 2026 · 6:15 AM ET
Oil fell more than 1% on Thursday, giving back part of Wednesday's gains. Brent was down $1.76, or 1.7%, at $104.30 a barrel and WTI down $1.06, or 1.1%, at $94.03 by 9:25 AM Saudi time (Reuters via Arab News). The WSJ also reported Brent down about 1.6% and WTI down 1.1%.
Sanctions relief and shipping attacks
Reuters said traders weighed supply risks from attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz against a report that US officials are considering easing sanctions on vessels carrying petroleum to lower shipping costs. A container ship and a dry bulk carrier both sank near the strait after being hit by projectiles, maritime officials said Wednesday (Reuters).
Yesterday's settle
Brent settled Wednesday up 37 cents at $106.06 and WTI up 95 cents at $95.09 (Newsquawk, Xinhua). WTI reached a three-week high after the Houthi attack on Saudi Aramco's headquarters, covered in our Houthi story. The IEA's new report on demand and diesel is in our IEA story.