Markets Global stock markets slide as oil market volatility rattles investors Increased targeting of oil and gas infrastructure in the Iran war is hitting trader sentiment hard as concerns mount that the current energy crisis is going to have a lasting impact on the global economy. 19/03/2026
Economy ECB keeps rates steady as rising energy prices fuel inflation concerns The European Central Bank (ECB) kept its key policy rates on hold on Thursday, as fresh spikes in oil and gas prices threaten to derail recent progress in reducing inflation. 19/03/2026
Economy Brent crude oil crosses $119 after Iran hit largest Qatari energy site Brent crude oil traded briefly above $119 a barrel after Iran struck Qatar’s largest energy site, the Ras Laffan gas field. The attack was in response to Israeli strikes against the Iranian South Pars gas field. 19/03/2026
Markets Markets on edge as ECB prepares to set interest rates European markets have opened lower as investors await the European Central Bank’s rate decision, with a sharp rise in gas and oil prices fuelling fresh inflation concerns. 19/03/2026
Economy Oil surges to $110 after Israel hits Iran's energy facilities Brent crude oil prices surged to $110 a barrel after Israel attacked the largest gas plant and another oil facility in Iran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran (IRGC) reacted by announcing that some Gulf energy sites are "legitimate targets". 18/03/2026
Business Tankers still cross Strait of Hormuz as Iran controls who gets through Dozens of ships are still navigating the Strait of Hormuz as Iran keeps oil flowing, despite continued attacks aimed at one of the world’s most critical trade routes. 18/03/2026
Economy ZEW index: German investor sentiment hits lowest level in a year German investor morale has plunged to its lowest level in almost a year, with sentiment in the eurozone also deteriorating, as the Middle East conflict rattles European markets. 17/03/2026
Economy Explainer: Why Kharg Island is vital to Iran and the global economy Strikes have already hit military infrastructure on a small Iranian island in the Persian Gulf — but if oil facilities are targeted next, the global economy could face a serious shock. 16/03/2026
Economy Oil prices rise as Trump presses allies to secure the Strait of Hormuz Oil prices continue to rise as the Iran war enters its third week, with President Trump pushing allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz as investors react to threats facing Middle Eastern export facilities. 16/03/2026
Europe News Ministers to discuss extending EU naval mission to Strait of Hormuz EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday are set to discuss extending the bloc's naval mission Aspides to the Strait of Hormuz, as the Iran war pushed global energy prices up. Over the weekend, US President Trump called on several countries to send ships to secure the passage. 15/03/2026
Economy US expands Russian oil waiver to all countries in bid to cool prices The US has expanded a temporary sanctions waiver on the purchase of stranded Russian oil from India alone to all countries worldwide as part of ongoing efforts to ease pressure on global energy prices. 13/03/2026
Brussels, My Love? Podcast: From energy to security, how the Iran war is hitting Europe The escalation of the Iran war is putting Europe’s security and economic systems to the test. Is Brussels able to weather this storm? 13/03/2026
Economy Could oil prices really reach $200 a barrel as claimed by Iran? As the Iran war approaches the two-week mark, energy markets are bracing for a potential "super shock". The IRGC has repeatedly threatened to push oil prices up to $200 per barrel, leveraging its control over the Strait of Hormuz, but how realistic is this scenario? 12/03/2026
Economy Trump admin could suspend a century-old law in bid to curb oil prices The Trump administration is allegedly set to suspend the Jones Act, a century-old federal maritime law. A waiver would allow foreign tankers to transport cargo between US ports as oil prices remain above $100. 12/03/2026
Economy Iran strikes neutralise record IEA reserves release as oil tops $100 Oil spiked above $100 a barrel on Thursday following fresh Iranian attacks on Omani oil storage facilities, reversing any downward pressure from the IEA's record release of 400mn barrels announced the previous day. 12/03/2026
Markets Oil steadies as IEA and G7 move to release record reserves Oil is trading flat in expectation that the International Energy Agency could trigger the largest-ever release of oil reserves, exceeding the 182 million barrels in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The G7 will also meet on Wednesday to discuss using the reserves. 11/03/2026
Economy Iran war shocks continue to ripple through the global economy The Iran war is driving up energy and fertiliser prices, threatening food shortages in poor countries, destabilising fragile states and complicating inflation control at central banks worldwide. 10/03/2026
Markets Oil prices fall as Trump floats possible sanctions relief Oil markets got their first significant relief in days as Trump signalled Washington could ease sanctions on some countries to cool crude prices. 10/03/2026
No Comment Oil prices: Drivers rush to fill tanks in China before fuel price hike Drivers queued at petrol stations in Nanjing ahead of a nationwide fuel price increase set to take effect at midnight as global oil prices surged above $100 per barrel. 10/03/2026
Europe News EU eyes oil reserves as Iran war sends energy prices surging Ministers are exploring measures to curb energy prices and inflation at a series of meetings in Brussels, with the release of oil reserves being discussed. Germany stated that it supports keeping the option on the table, but emphasised that now is not the right time to use it. 09/03/2026