Brent Crude Faces Steepest Weekly Decline Since June Amid Geopolitical Volatility

Brent crude futures are poised for their most significant weekly decline since last June, reflecting a period of intense price volatility in the global energy markets. Despite the overall bearish trend for the week, prices saw a modest rebound during Friday's session. This late-week recovery is primarily attributed to escalating concerns regarding the stability of Saudi Arabian oil supplies. Market participants are closely monitoring the security of shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil transit. Brent crude was recently quoted at $95.98 per barrel. The Friday bounce suggests that geopolitical risk premiums are returning to the market, partially offsetting the broader downward pressure that dominated the preceding days. Traders are currently balancing the bearish weekly momentum against the potential for sudden supply shocks. The focus remains heavily on the Middle East, where any tangible disruption to the Strait of Hormuz could rapidly reverse the current weekly losses and trigger a sharp spike in energy costs.