US strikes on Iran send oil toward $97 — load up on energy stocks before it climbs further
The U.S. just carried out fresh airstrikes on an Iranian military site near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil shipping routes. Oil prices jumped nearly 3%, with Brent crude approaching $97 a barrel, as traders worry the conflict could disrupt global energy supplies.
Idea
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly 20% of the world's daily oil flow. Every time military action flares near it, oil prices spike — and this is now the second round of U.S. strikes in three days, meaning the conflict is escalating rather than cooling. With Brent already pushing $97 and a ceasefire looking increasingly unlikely, energy stocks like Exxon and Chevron tend to rally hard in these windows because higher oil prices flow straight to their bottom line. The inflation angle matters too: Fed officials are already warning they may raise rates if inflation stays hot, and spiking oil only adds fuel to that fire.