Oil Prices Tick Higher Amid Iran Tensions and U.S. Credit Downgrade

Oil prices edged higher on Tuesday due to rising geopolitical tensions and concerns over Iranian crude supply. Brent crude rose by 12 cents to $65.66 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbed 16 cents to $62.85.

The modest gains come amid a potential collapse in U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takhtravanchi stated that talks will "lead nowhere" if the U.S. demands a complete halt to uranium enrichment. This condition, reiterated by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, remains a key sticking point. Without a deal, hopes for easing U.S. sanctions—and unlocking an additional 300,000 to 400,000 barrels per day of Iranian oil exports—appear slim, according to StoneX analyst Alex Hodes.

Meanwhile, global demand concerns also weighed on sentiment. A recent downgrade of the U.S. sovereign credit rating by Moody’s, prompted by growing debt levels exceeding $36 trillion, has clouded the economic outlook for the world’s top energy consumer. Weak economic data from China, including slowing industrial output and retail sales, further pressured oil markets. China remains the world’s largest oil importer, making its economic performance critical to global demand forecasts.

Geopolitical volatility continues to influence oil price trends. Russian President Vladimir Putin, following a call with former U.S. President Donald Trump, expressed readiness to pursue a peace agreement with Ukraine, adding an uncertain variable to the outlook.

Oil prices may remain volatile in the near term, swayed by U.S.-Iran negotiations, China’s economic health, shifting trade tariffs, and developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Traders and analysts are closely monitoring these factors for clues about the direction of global crude supply and demand.