Crude oil benchmarks finished the session with mixed results, highlighting a market in a cautious holding pattern.
Brent crude futures posted a slight gain, while the US WTI contract retreated modestly, as traders weighed the persistent risk of supply disruption against broader economic headwinds.
The divergence in price action underscores the market's continued sensitivity to geopolitical developments in the Middle East.
Investors remain focused on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, where tensions between Washington and Tehran have yet to be fully resolved.
The lack of a formal agreement to reopen the waterway has kept a risk premium embedded in prices, preventing a decisive directional move.
Brent crude traded higher during the session, driven by persistent concerns over shipping security in the region.