OPEC+ Signals Keep Prices High, Blurring Guidance and Manipulation
Remember all the years that OPEC/OPEC+ was accused of trying to "jawbone" prices higher? Now imagine if the producer group had spent three months signalling an “imminent” production cut deal without actually signing one -- and yet, prices remained elevated on those expectations alone. The US has long criticised OPEC+ as a “cartel”, with the NOPEC bill periodically resurfacing as a warning against perceived collusion and market influence. Washington likes to present itself as a champion of open and transparent markets. That raises an uncomfortable question: if repeated diplomatic signalling around an imminent peace deal helps suppress prices for months without corresponding progress, where is the line between market guidance, political messaging and market influence?
Oil Market Broken: Unprecedented Shock, Bias, Possible Insider Trading
The oil market is broken, I told @Bloomberg TV. - Oil market players are in uncharted territory -- a supply shock of this duration and magnitude is unprecedented - There is an optimism bias, no doubt fuelled by misdirection ("imminent deal")...
Brent Surges 4%, Threatening Global Economy Amid Geopolitical Tensions
Brent up over 4% Mon morning >$105. I see a Pakistan request in the works... or maybe it will be Qatar now. I see a Trump TACO coming. But seriously, this has gone beyond ridiculous now and dangerously damaging to the global...
Nuclear Deal Demands Experts, Not Politicians' Nephews
"A nuclear agreement requires expertise in nuclear engineering, sanctions architecture, intelligence collection, verification systems, export controls, and arms control law." Surely, messrs Witkoff and Kushner are more than qualified?!
Truth Erased: US‑Iran Narratives Mask Ongoing Conflict
This is the new reality. The lines between fact and fiction, truth and lies, are not only blurred, they have been erased. I am reminded of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale, “The Emperor’s New Clothes”. But the current situation has gone...
Iranian Leaders Remain Silent on Rumored US Deal
Eerie silence from the top Iranian officials here on news reports of a deal with the US...
Iran Crisis Highlights Global Oil Supply Security Risks
My panel discussion on @AJEnglish programme “Counting the Cost”, which tackled some key key big-picture questions around oil supply and energy supply security thrown up by the Iran crisis. https://t.co/8wzz9MElfI
Oil Beneath US Bases Being Produced, Not Secret Stockpile
In case you are wondering what this is all about — It’s not like there is a secret oil stockpile under military bases. This is about the producing oil from land underneath US bases within oil fields. Not a quick refill...
Potential Gulf Oil Surge If US‑Iran Deal Holds
IF the Axios report about a the US expecting a one-page MOU with Iran to end the war is true... And IF Iran confirms... And IF it is indeed signed... And IF it is honoured... And IF negotiations to reopen SoH succeed in the...
US Navigates Ships Through Hormuz Like Google Maps
Can’t imagine why there is still confusion. To put it simply, the US will “guide” ships out of the Strait of Hormuz like Google maps guides you to your destination.
Trump’s “Guide” Ships Misinterpreted as Literal Navigation
So when Trump wrote the US will “GUIDE” ships, he was taking linguistic liberty. What he MEANT was the US will provide written GUIDANCE for stranded vessels on a way they might be able to escape. 🤦♀️
Trump May Falsely Claim Hormuz Open, Misleading Many
There will come a day soon, when Trump will declare that the Strait of Hormuz is actually fully open and ships are transiting like before the war, when in fact, nothing will have changed. Some in the world may continue to...
Oil Market Near Cliff Edge, Yet Speculative Panic May Fade
Mostly agree with the cliff edge the oil market is sliding towards, but I hope it is only a short-sighted minority in terms of market players and a brainwashed coterie among speculative traders that are still under what JPM calls...
US War on Iran Fueled by Ambitions, Not Imminent Threat
Interesting. The record is being set straight... for posterity. The US went to war with Iran not because it was an imminent nuclear threat - that had been taken care of in June 2025 - but because it had nuclear AMBITIONS.
Oil Prices Set to Rise Amid Strait Uncertainty
My comments to CNN as Brent climbed to $125 Thursday afternoon in Asia: Oil prices have “nowhere to go but up,” until the permanent reopening of the strait comes into view, said Vandana Hari, founder of energy market analysis firm Vanda...