IRAN’S STANDOFF COULD PUSH OIL MARKETS TO THE EDGE Global oil inventories are falling toward 10-year lows, increasing the risk of sharp pri…
IRAN’S STANDOFF COULD PUSH OIL MARKETS TO THE EDGE
Global oil inventories are falling toward 10-year lows, increasing the risk of sharp price swings and supply disruptions, according to UBS.
The bank estimates global stockpiles dropped from 8.2 billion barrels in February to around 7.8 billion by April, and could hit near-record lows of 7.6 billion barrels by the end of May.
UBS said temporary relief from weaker demand, strategic reserve releases, and sanctions waivers on Iranian and Russian oil is fading fast, leaving global supply buffers “largely exhausted.”
The bank warned that if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, panic buying and extreme oil volatility could follow.
UBS also suggested the prolonged pressure may benefit Iran, as tighter oil markets increase economic pressure on the Trump administration to reach a deal and reopen the key shipping route.

More from Walter Bloomberg
- Sat, 23 May 2026 18:28:33 GMTIRAN AND PAKISTAN HAVE SENT REVISED OFFER TO US TO TERMINATE CONFLICT, OPEN STRAIT OF HORMUZ, TWO PAKISTANI SOURCES AWARE OF NEGOTIATIONS S…
- Sat, 23 May 2026 18:27:33 GMTUS RESPONSE TO LATEST PROPOSAL EXPECTED BY SUNDAY, TWO PAKISTANI SOURCES AWARE OF NEGOTIATIONS SAY
- Sat, 23 May 2026 18:04:32 GMTTHE INTERIM DEAL TO END THE CONFLICT TAKES BOTH THE SIDES TO WHERE THEY WERE TOO CLOSE TO STRIKE A DEAL IN ISLAMABAD TALKS - PAKISTANI OFFI…
- Sat, 23 May 2026 17:08:29 GMTAN MOU IS BEING FINE TUNED TO END US-IRAN WAR - PAKISTANI SECURITY OFFICIAL
- Sat, 23 May 2026 16:29:27 GMTTRUMP TO HOLD A CALL ON SATURDAY WITH LEADERS FROM SAUDI ARABIA, QATAR, UAE, EGYPT, TURKEY AND PAKISTAN
- Sat, 23 May 2026 15:57:26 GMTRUSSIA IS PREPARING A STRIKE AGAINST UKRAINE USING "ORESHNIK" MISSILE, ZELENSKIY SAYS, CITING INTELLIGENCE FROM UKRAINE, U.S. AND EUROPE
- Sat, 23 May 2026 15:56:25 GMTTRUMP SAYS U.S., IRAN ARE "GETTING A LOT CLOSER" TO FINALIZING AGREEMENT, ACCORDING TO CBS INTERVIEW
- Sat, 23 May 2026 15:45:25 GMTTRUMP SAYS ODDS OF IRAN DEAL OR STRIKES ARE ‘50-50’: AXIOS TRUMP TO MEET ENVOYS, MAY DECIDE ON IRAN ACTION BY SUNDAY: AXIOS PROPOSED U.S.-I…