Oil price volatility intensified this week as Brent crude futures climbed above $80 per barrel following renewed instability near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping corridor for global energy supply. Brent briefly traded above $82 before easing, while U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate rose sharply into the low $70s during intraday trading. The latest surge reflects heightened risk premiums tied to maritime security concerns in the Middle East. Energy markets reacted swiftly to reports of disruptions affecting shipping routes responsible for moving a significant share of the world’s crude exports. Analysts across major financial institutions note that geopolitical uncertainty, rather