Crude Oil Hits $115 as Iran Tensions Stall Talks

Crude oil has climbed to nearly $115 per barrel, its highest level since June 2022, as tensions around Iran rise and nuclear talks remain stalled. The move reflects growing market concern that a broader conflict could disrupt oil flows from one of the world's most critical energy corridors. The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of global oil supply passes, is the central risk point analysts are watching. If that route is disrupted, even briefly, the supply shock would be immediate and severe. Analysts now warn that prices could push toward $150 per barrel if negotiations fail to resume and tensions escalate further. At $150, fuel costs for consumers and businesses would rise sharply, and inflation pressure would build across import-dependent economies, including India. For markets, the move raises energy sector earnings but compresses margins for airlines, logistics firms, and manufacturers. The next signal will come from whether diplomatic channels reopen or conflict rhetoric hardens.