📈 Oil Surges 3% Following Iranian Strikes on Mideast Energy Hubs

Global oil benchmarks spiked on Thursday as geopolitical tensions escalated following Iranian attacks on several key energy facilities in the Middle East, including major sites in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. • Price Movements: Brent futures rose by 3.44% (US$ 3.69) to US$ 111.07 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) increased by 2.38% (US$ 2.29) to US$ 98.61. WTI continues to trade at its widest discount to Brent in 11 years. • Sector Impact & Infrastructure: QatarEnergy reported "extensive damage" to the Ras Laffan LNG hub. In the UAE, operations at the Habshan gas facilities and Bab oil field were partially shut. Saudi Arabia intercepted four ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh and a drone strike on a gas facility. • Regional Context: The escalation follows strikes on Iran’s South Pars gas field. With no immediate signs of de-escalation or the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, market analysts expect prices to remain supported by high risk premiums. • Economic Outlook: For Sri Lanka, sustained high global oil prices typically exert pressure on foreign exchange reserves and domestic energy costs, impacting the transportation and manufacturing sectors. The U.S. is reportedly considering troop deployments to secure oil tanker passage through the region.