The crude oil tanker NEW VISION unloads cargo at the Motor Oil refinery terminal in Agioi Theodoroi near Corinth, Greece, on Oct. 29, 2026, after departing Fujairah Anchorage in the United Arab Emirates. Nicolas Koutsokostas | Nurphoto | Getty Images Oil prices rose Friday as investors weighed the risk of renewed military escalation between the U.S. and Iran following the midterm elections, alongside prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough. Brent crude futures climbed 1.67% to $99.90 per barrel, while U.S.
West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 1.43% to $91.69 per barrel. The gains came as investors assessed whether the conclusion of the U.S. midterm elections could pave the way for renewed actions against Iran, potentially threatening oil supplies from the Middle East. Bob McNally, Rapidan Energy Group founder and president, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" that he sees an 80% probability of military fighting resuming, forecasting that both oil benchmarks could climb above $100 a barrel.
However, hopes for a diplomatic resolution have also emerged after Iran reportedly sent a nuclear proposal to Washington through Qatar, Reuters reported, citing a senior Iranian official. Iran reported three additional attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, while data from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) indicated that attacks on vessels were continuing at a near-record rate. "President Donald Trump is determined, as a legacy item, almost at all costs, to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, having them give up their nuclear capabilities," McNally said.
"The Iranian regime, on the other hand, is not willing to do it. And as long as that core difference in that deal space is absent, the escalation dynamic remains in place," he added. McNally's view is shared by other analysts, including Lombard Odier's chief economist Samy Chaar and head of investment strategy Luca Bindelli. —CNBC's Lim Hui Jie contributed to this report.
Source: CNBC
