WTI slumps below $91.00 on US–Iran peace progress while fresh strikes cloud outlook

WTI price tumbles to near $90.75 in Wednesday’s early European session.
Signs that peace negotiations between the US and Iran are progressing weigh on the WTI price.
US forces struck Iranian missile-launch sites and boats.

Lallalit Srijandorn FXStreet

West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $90.75 during the early European trading hours on Wednesday. The potential downside for crude oil prices might be limited as fresh US strikes on Iran dashed hopes of a Middle East breakthrough.

Renewed optimism surrounding peace negotiations between the US and Iran raised expectations of improved energy supply, which weighed on the WTI price in the previous sessions. US President Donald Trump said early Tuesday that negotiations with Iran to extend their ceasefire and reopen the crucial waterway are proceeding.

However, security in the Strait of Hormuz remained unclear after the US and Iran exchanged strikes on Tuesday, and US Central Command pushed back on reports that suggested the military was helping escort vessels. Any signs of rising tensions in the Middle East could boost the WTI price in the near term.

The Iranian military stated that it reserved the “legitimate and definite” right to retaliate against any ceasefire violations by the US. Meanwhile, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said that “nations and lands of the region will no longer be a shield for American bases.

Oil traders brace for the release of the American Petroleum Institute (API) report, which will be published later on Wednesday. A larger-than-expected crude oil inventory draw indicates stronger demand and could lift the WTI price, while a bigger build than estimated signals weaker demand or excess supply, which might weigh on the WTI price.

WTI Oil FAQs

What is WTI Oil?

WTI Oil is a type of Crude Oil sold on international markets. The WTI stands for West Texas Intermediate, one of three major types including Brent and Dubai Crude. WTI is also referred to as “light” and “sweet” because of its relatively low gravity and sulfur content respectively. It is considered a high quality Oil that is easily refined. It is sourced in the United States and distributed via the Cushing hub, which is considered “The Pipeline Crossroads of the World”. It is a benchmark for the Oil market and WTI price is frequently quoted in the media.

What factors drive the price of WTI Oil?

Like all assets, supply and demand are the key drivers of WTI Oil price. As such, global growth can be a driver of increased demand and vice versa for weak global growth. Political instability, wars, and sanctions can disrupt supply and impact prices. The decisions of OPEC, a group of major Oil-producing countries, is another key driver of price. The value of the US Dollar influences the price of WTI Crude Oil, since Oil is predominantly traded in US Dollars, thus a weaker US Dollar can make Oil more affordable and vice versa.

How does inventory data impact the price of WTI Oil

The weekly Oil inventory reports published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Energy Information Agency (EIA) impact the price of WTI Oil. Changes in inventories reflect fluctuating supply and demand. If the data shows a drop in inventories it can indicate increased demand, pushing up Oil price. Higher inventories can reflect increased supply, pushing down prices. API’s report is published every Tuesday and EIA’s the day after. Their results are usually similar, falling within 1% of each other 75% of the time. The EIA data is considered more reliable, since it is a government agency.

How does OPEC influence the price of WTI Oil?

OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is a group of 12 Oil-producing nations who collectively decide production quotas for member countries at twice-yearly meetings. Their decisions often impact WTI Oil prices. When OPEC decides to lower quotas, it can tighten supply, pushing up Oil prices. When OPEC increases production, it has the opposite effect. OPEC+ refers to an expanded group that includes ten extra non-OPEC members, the most notable of which is Russia.

Author

Lallalit Srijandorn

FXStreet

Lallalit Srijandorn is a Parisian at heart. She has lived in France since 2019 and now becomes a digital entrepreneur based in Paris and Bangkok.

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