Oil Surge! — Is $100 Crude Coming? - 09/08/26

Oil is surging again—and geopolitical risk is back in the driver's seat.

Over the weekend, U.S. forces struck three Iranian oil tankers after Iran launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy warships. Now tensions are escalating around the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important energy chokepoints in the world.

On today's TraderMerlin, we'll look at what this means for crude oil, inflation, interest rates—and ultimately your portfolio.

Brent crude is now approaching $100 per barrel, while WTI has pushed above $93, as traders add another geopolitical risk premium to energy prices.

But the bigger question isn't simply:

How high can oil go?

It's what happens NEXT if it stays there.

We'll discuss:

U.S.–Iran escalation – What happened and why the tanker strikes matter Strait of Hormuz – Why disruptions here can quickly impact global energy markets $100 Oil? – What's keeping crude below $100—and what could push it through Inflation – Higher oil doesn't stop at the gas pump; it flows into transportation, manufacturing, food and consumer prices The Federal Reserve – Could another energy shock complicate the Fed's fight against inflation? Stocks & Bonds – Which sectors benefit from higher crude, and which could feel the pain? Here's the problem for the Fed:

Inflation is already running above its target. Now crude oil is climbing just days before another major round of U.S. inflation data.

If oil keeps rising, the Fed may have an even harder time declaring victory over inflation.

And with tensions in the Middle East showing little sign of disappearing, energy could become one of the biggest market stories heading into the end of 2026.