Trump’s remarks keep oil prices steady amid Middle East tensions

Oil prices were steady on Monday, November 9, 2026, after United States ‌President Donald Trump downplayed the likelihood of new strikes on Iran.

However, attacks on ships near the Strait of Hormuz kept supply concerns in focus.

Brent inched up 3 cents to $98.35 a barrel by 0427 GMT, ​while US West Texas Intermediate rose 0.5% to $91.30 a barrel.

Brent fell 16% last week, ​the steepest weekly drop since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Despite the ⁠recent optimism surrounding a potential diplomatic breakthrough, the underlying geopolitical risks remain elevated, and the ​possibility of renewed military escalation cannot be ruled out,” said Sugandha Sachdeva, founder of SS ​WealthStreet, a New Delhi-based research firm.

Trump said on Sunday ​he was highly unlikely to order fresh attacks on Iran as long as talks to ​end the conflict progress, even as both countries reported that shipping had been hit in or near ‌the Strait ⁠of Hormuz, Reuters reported.

He had hinted at renewing attacks on Iran after last week’s US midterm elections, but there has been no sign of a large-scale US military operation.

Iran has said it would respond by striking United States and Israeli targets.

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The chief analyst at KCM Trade, Tim Waterer, called ​Trump’s comments “more measured”, adding: ​“The market is ⁠still waiting to see whether the midterms have produced a lasting shift in Trump’s approach to the conflict, or whether this is just ​another temporary change in tone.”

Oil is headed for a glut again as ​recovering Middle ⁠Eastern oil flows, rising production from other countries and weak demand have pushed global supply above consumption, JPMorgan said in a report on Friday, estimating a surplus of 1.1 million barrels per day ⁠in September, ​widening to 1.4 million bpd in October.

Meanwhile, the Iran-aligned Houthis claimed ​responsibility for an attack on Saudi Aramco’s offices in the capital Riyadh on Sunday that left windows blown out ​but no reported casualties.