Oil prices advanced on Thursday as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East reignited concerns over regional energy supply. ^[1] At the close of trading on Thursday, Brent crude oil prices fell 0.12% to $95.52 per barrel while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) prices rose 0.3% to $91.30 per barrel. ^[2] Reports suggesting a potential US military deployment in the region could extend until 2027 have reinforced fears that geopolitical tensions will remain high for an extended period. ^[3] Thadeu Dos Santos, Regional Director at Infinox, stated that recent US attacks on Iran, subsequent Iranian retaliation, and renewed Israeli threats against critical Iranian infrastructure have increased the risk of new disruptions. ^[4] The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) price opened up 1.04% to $91.96 per barrel as investors focused on supply from the Strait of Hormuz. ^[5] Dos Santos identified the Strait of Hormuz as the primary risk for physical supply, noting that traffic remains below normal levels and further security deterioration could reduce transit volumes. ^[6] Thadeu Dos Santos, regional director of Infinox in Latin America, stated that geopolitical escalation in the Middle East has reawakened market concerns about energy supply disruptions. ^[7] The United States conducted its hardest attacks in over a month against five Iranian provinces, resulting in 19 deaths, to which Tehran responded with bombings against four Gulf countries. ^[8]