Brent crude hits $105 as tanker attacks choke Hormuz transits to their lowest level in over two months
From the Newshound archive · first published 8 October 2026.
Joey Amor, whose wife Master Sgt. Nicole M. Amor was killed in the March 1 drone strike on Kuwait, publicly called on Americans to "stand with these six families and demand transparency" the day before the White House…
Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz tightened dramatically this week, with just seven commodity vessels crossing on Tuesday — less than half the previous week's daily average and the lowest figure since July 23 — as tanker attacks reached their highest weekly level since the US-Israeli war with Iran began. Brent crude surged 5% to $105 a barrel on Thursday, driving UK gilt yields to their highest since 2007 and triggering a sell-off in global bond and stock markets. Iran has declared it will close an alternative route being used to circumvent its blockade, escalating fears further. The White House has reportedly asked the Pentagon to draw up options for strikes against Iran before next month's midterm elections, shattering hopes of a pause in hostilities.
A tanker north of Qatar was struck by multiple projectiles on Wednesday, causing casualties, UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed.
Ten tanker attacks were recorded in the week to October 4 — a record weekly high, nearly double the previous peak of six.
The 10-year UK gilt yield hit 5.515%, its highest since July 2007, as investors grew alarmed that surging oil above $100 a barrel could reignite inflation.
