{"id":11435,"date":"2026-05-08T18:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T14:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/news\/economy\/brent-near-100-gulf-tensions-rise\/"},"modified":"2026-05-08T23:16:40","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T19:16:40","slug":"brent-near-100-gulf-tensions-rise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/news\/economy\/brent-near-100-gulf-tensions-rise\/","title":{"rendered":"Brent Crude Nears $100 Amid Gulf Tensions: What This Means for Oman\u2019s Energy Investors and Businesses"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-fadein{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(14px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-slideup{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(20px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-pulse{0%,100%{box-shadow:0 0 14px #dc262688}50%{box-shadow:0 0 32px #dc2626,0 0 60px #dc262655}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-shimmer{0%,100%{opacity:0.3;transform:scaleX(0.4)}50%{opacity:1;transform:scaleX(1)}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-glow{0%,100%{opacity:0.6}50%{opacity:1}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-badge{from{opacity:0;transform:scale(0.8)}to{opacity:1;transform:scale(1)}}\r\n<\/style><style>\r\n.hitv3sogw{container-type:inline-size;width:100%;max-width:970px;margin:0 auto;box-sizing:border-box}\r\n.hitv3soga{display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;text-decoration:none;color:#fff;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,system-ui,sans-serif;position:relative;overflow:hidden;cursor:pointer;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#111118 0%,#080808 100%);border:1.5px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.08);border-radius:14px;gap:20px;padding:20px 40px;transition:border-color .2s}\r\n.hitv3soga:hover{border-color:#dc262688}\r\n.hitv3sogg1{position:absolute;inset:0;background:radial-gradient(ellipse at 50% 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.hitv3sogbl{display:flex;align-self:center;text-align:left}\r\n  .hitv3sogbtn{width:100%;justify-content:center;padding:12px 20px}\r\n}\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Wide: >= 600px (leaderboard style) \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n@container (min-width:600px){\r\n  .hitv3soga{min-height:90px}\r\n}\r\n<\/style><!-- HiT Land Banner \u2014 Container Query Responsive -->\r\n<div class=\"hitv3sogw\">\r\n<a class=\"hitv3soga\" href=\"https:\/\/hit.land\/services\/web-app-development\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-fadein 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0s;\">\r\n  <div class=\"hitv3sogg1\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-glow 3s ease-in-out infinite;\"><\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"hitv3sogg2\"><\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"hitv3soggl\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-shimmer 3s ease-in-out infinite;\"><\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <div class=\"hitv3sogc\">\r\n    \r\n    <div style=\"display:inline-flex;align-self:flex-start;align-items:center;gap:6px;background:rgba(255,255,255,0.08);border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.18);backdrop-filter:blur(8px);-webkit-backdrop-filter:blur(8px);border-radius:20px;padding:3px 10px 3px 7px;margin-bottom:clamp(5px,0.6vw,9px);animation:hitv3sog-badge 0.5s ease both;\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:6px;height:6px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size:clamp(8px,0.9vw,10px);font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.07em;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.88);text-transform:uppercase;white-space:nowrap;\">EXCLUSIVE OMAN OFFER<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogh\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.15s;\">Websites For <span style=\"color:#dc2626;\">Omani Businesses.<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogs\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.3s;\">Empower your brand with custom digital solutions designed for high conversion and market dominance.<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogbl\"><div class=\"hitv3sogbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>Responsive designs built for growth<\/span><\/div><div class=\"hitv3sogbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>Fast loading with smart automation<\/span><\/div><\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <div class=\"hitv3sogct\">\r\n    <button class=\"hitv3sogbtn\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-pulse 2.5s ease-in-out infinite;animation-delay:1s;\">Build Your Free Website <span style=\"opacity:.9;\">\u2192<\/span><\/button>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogbr\">hit.land<\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/a>\r\n<\/div>\n<p>Oil prices rose modestly while global stocks declined on Friday following a flare-up of hostilities between the US and Iran in the Middle East. Despite the tensions, many equity markets, especially in Asia, remained poised for strong weekly gains driven by robust demand for artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.<\/p>\n<p>Benchmark Brent crude futures increased by approximately 0.5%, reaching $100.50 per barrel. Meanwhile, European stocks dropped by 0.6%, and US stock futures rose by 0.5%.<\/p>\n<p>Investors were also closely monitoring local election losses faced by Britain\u2019s ruling Labour Party, which could put pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Despite this, the British pound edged higher, and UK assets generally followed the trend of European markets as election results gradually emerged.<\/p>\n<p>Tensions in the Gulf intensified as the US and Iran exchanged fire, and the United Arab Emirates faced renewed attacks, challenging a month-long ceasefire. Both parties downplayed the severity of the situation, leaving market participants uncertain.<\/p>\n<p>Jan von Gerich, chief analyst at Nordea, commented, \u201cThe market seems to be taking every chance to price in a quick end to the war. But it seems unlikely there\u2019s going to be an agreement. I still think there are going to be disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz for a longer time, and it won\u2019t be resolved any time soon.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In Europe, the STOXX 600 index fell 0.6%, with notable declines in Frankfurt and Paris, where markets dropped approximately 0.9%.<\/p>\n<p>Asian markets slipped from their recent peaks but maintained strong weekly performance, buoyed by strong revenue reports and spending commitments from major US AI companies benefiting regional semiconductor manufacturers. MSCI\u2019s broadest index of Asian shares outside Japan declined 0.9%, though South Korea\u2019s KOSPI gained 0.1%, marking a weekly rise exceeding 13.5% \u2014 its largest since 2008 \u2014 supported by rallies in Samsung and SK Hynix stocks.<\/p>\n<p>Taiwan\u2019s benchmark index rose 7% over the week, while Japan\u2019s Nikkei increased by 5.4%. European markets were set for a modest 0.2% weekly gain, and in the US, the S&#038;P 500 and Nasdaq advanced by 1.5% and 3%, respectively.<\/p>\n<p>The US dollar weakened slightly and was on track for a second consecutive weekly decline. The Japanese yen remained under focus after Japan intervened in currency markets earlier in May to curb its depreciation, according to a source familiar with the matter. The dollar last traded down 0.1% against the yen at 156.77, heading for a second weekly fall.<\/p>\n<p>The euro was valued at $1.1767, while China\u2019s yuan, Asia\u2019s best-performing currency since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict, hovered near 6.8 per US dollar \u2014 close to levels not seen since 2023.<\/p>\n<p>Markets awaited the release of the US nonfarm payroll report, with economists forecasting an addition of 62,000 jobs in April, following a 178,000 gain in March, according to a Reuters survey.<\/p>\n<p>Nordea\u2019s von Gerich noted, \u201cThe labor market is still holding up reasonably well. Since the focus is on the Middle East and the impact comes via inflation more than growth, especially in the US, maybe the payrolls report is not quite as crucial as it has been sometimes in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In Britain, early local election results showed significant losses for Labour, although Starmer affirmed he would not resign.<\/p>\n<p>ING analysts observed, \u201cGilts are already under scrutiny due to inflation risks, and adding political uncertainty to the mix could further push global investors to look elsewhere.\u201d Britain\u2019s 10-year gilt yield fell 3.5 basis points to 4.91%, remaining near a three-decade high.<\/p>\n<p><style>\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-fadein{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(14px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-slideup{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(20px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-pulse{0%,100%{box-shadow:0 0 14px #dc262688}50%{box-shadow:0 0 32px #dc2626,0 0 60px #dc262655}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-shimmer{0%,100%{opacity:0.3;transform:scaleX(0.4)}50%{opacity:1;transform:scaleX(1)}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-glow{0%,100%{opacity:0.6}50%{opacity:1}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-badge{from{opacity:0;transform:scale(0.8)}to{opacity:1;transform:scale(1)}}\r\n<\/style><style>\r\n.hitl8gakw{container-type:inline-size;width:100%;max-width:970px;margin:0 auto;box-sizing:border-box}\r\n.hitl8gaka{display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;text-decoration:none;color:#fff;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,system-ui,sans-serif;position:relative;overflow:hidden;cursor:pointer;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#111118 0%,#080808 100%);border:1.5px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.08);border-radius:14px;gap:20px;padding:20px 40px;transition:border-color .2s}\r\n.hitl8gaka:hover{border-color:#dc262688}\r\n.hitl8gakg1{position:absolute;inset:0;background:radial-gradient(ellipse at 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solid rgba(255,255,255,0.18);backdrop-filter:blur(8px);-webkit-backdrop-filter:blur(8px);border-radius:20px;padding:3px 10px 3px 7px;margin-bottom:clamp(5px,0.6vw,9px);animation:hitl8gak-badge 0.5s ease both;\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:6px;height:6px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size:clamp(8px,0.9vw,10px);font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.07em;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.88);text-transform:uppercase;white-space:nowrap;\">EXCLUSIVE OFFER<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gakh\" style=\"animation:hitl8gak-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.15s;\">Your Website <span style=\"color:#dc2626;\">Should Sell.<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gaks\" style=\"animation:hitl8gak-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.3s;\">Custom-built websites with smart automation & AI-powered features.<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gakbl\"><div class=\"hitl8gakbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>SEO-optimized & lightning fast<\/span><\/div><div class=\"hitl8gakbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>Smart features built for your business<\/span><\/div><\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <div class=\"hitl8gakct\">\r\n    <button class=\"hitl8gakbtn\" style=\"animation:hitl8gak-pulse 2.5s ease-in-out infinite;animation-delay:1s;\">Get Free Consultation <span style=\"opacity:.9;\">\u2192<\/span><\/button>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gakbr\">hit.land<\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/a>\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman&#8217;s Market<\/p>\n<p>The recent US-Iran tensions and instability in the Gulf underscore the ongoing <strong>geopolitical risks impacting the Strait of Hormuz<\/strong>, a critical passage for global oil supply, which keeps oil prices elevated and supply chains uncertain. For businesses in Oman, this means <strong>heightened volatility in energy markets and potential cost pressures but also opportunities for increased oil revenues<\/strong>. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should consider <strong>diversifying investments to mitigate geopolitical risks while leveraging the sustained demand in energy and technology sectors, particularly in AI and semiconductor industries, showing robust global growth.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Oil edged higher and stocks slipped after the US and Iran exchanged fire, testing a ceasefire. Brent crude rose 0.5% to $100.50. Asian markets remained strong on AI demand. European stocks fell 0.6%, while US futures gained 0.5%. UK\u2019s Labour faced losses, adding uncertainty.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11436,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[482],"tags":[4061,4003,328],"class_list":["post-11435","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy","tag-global-stock-markets","tag-middle-east-conflict","tag-oil-prices"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3378751.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11435","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11435"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11435\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11437,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11435\/revisions\/11437"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11436"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11435"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11435"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11435"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}