Crude Oil Prices Steady Near 2025 Highs as Strait of Hormuz Disruption Keeps Brent, WTI Volatile
Oil prices eased after earlier gains, with Brent at $81.13 and U.S. crude at $74.30 by late morning Wednesday. The market reacted to possible U.S.-Iran talks and ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Qatar declared force majeure on gas exports, while Russia prepared to boost crude shipments to India. U.S. crude inventories rose by 3.5 million barrels last week.