Temple 8 Research
AI Buildout, Macro & Energy Infrastructure Research
A possible US strike on Iran poses near-term upside risk for crude oil. If Trump expects to lose the midterms, he may act between Israel's October 27 election and the November 3 US vote. Crude has filled the $101 gap and reached the rising channel's midpoint; if it keeps breaking higher, the next levels are $105, $110 and the channel top near $115. x.comÂ
Oil traders anticipate a resumption of the Iran war after the midterm elections, favoring more upside for crude oil. After a bullish reversal off its 10-week moving average, the odds favor a continuation of the rally to the $110-120 range. x.comÂ
Crude oil faces near-term pressure as Trump said US-Iran talks were productive and pledged no strikes before the November 3 elections; Brent fell to $103.36. Supply risks persist, however, with attacks on tankers near the Strait of Hormuz and 1.3 million barrels a day of Gulf of Mexico production shut in ahead of Hurricane Isaias. x.comÂ
Fears of US strikes on Iran could send crude oil to $200 quickly. FinanceLancelot reports that the USS Theodore Roosevelt is heading to the Middle East and says the move has revived concern that Trump will follow through on threats to hit Iran after the midterm elections. x.comÂ
Crude oil could jump above $150 instantly if Israel strikes all of Iran's energy infrastructure, which handles millions of barrels a day. Israel is pushing for such strikes within 24 hours with support from multiple Arab countries, and per Israel, the US-Iran peace deal is dead. The IEA had already called 2026 the largest oil disruption in history before this escalation. x.comÂ
Crude oil should fall back into the $60s and likely well below over time once the Iran war is resolved. Middle East producers are overproducing but cannot export the barrels, so when the Strait fully reopens they will flood the market. Oil tried to break down from its trend line but was rejected, and bigger resolution news is likely needed to push it much lower. Cheaper oil would remove current inflation fears, setting up a deflationary boom. x.com x.comÂ
Renewed Ukraine and Iran tensions should push oil higher again. The Kobeissi Letter reports a Ukrainian strike on a major Russian oil terminal. Higher oil adds to last week's financing worries; even slight earnings weakness in the next few weeks could be disastrous for markets. A rally at the open would not surprise, though, as headlines shift quickly. x.comÂ
Crude oil has room to rise as Trump's war with Iran accelerates and both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb are closed. The WTI target set at $67.50 was $83-85, with a $91 overshoot; getting and staying above $91 this time would spell deep trouble. Senior US officials say more than 60 refueling aircraft were sent to Israel ahead of Trump's expected escalation. x.comÂ
Oil's slide from $120 during the war to $79 should continue as the US-Iran deal, due to be signed on the 19th in Switzerland, reopens the Strait of Hormuz and ends the US naval blockade, restoring choked supply. Cheaper oil lowers US inflation and flips the market from expecting another hike toward rate cuts, lifting risk assets. The deal is only a 60-day MOU, though, and Israel is the problem: if anything blows up, oil rips and the chain runs in reverse. x.comÂ
Daily attacks on Saudi energy installations, seemingly at will, are a bigger driver of oil's rise than Hormuz. If they escalate and meaningfully damage Saudi production, $200 oil isn't impossible. x.comÂ