(BFM Stock Exchange) – The prices of black gold are progressing, relaunched by information from CNN according to which Israel is preparing to strike Iranian nuclear installations.

Black gold courses are very sensitive to fears about demand and geopolitical tensions. This Wednesday, May 21, this Wednesday, it is the increase that prevails that uncertainties remain on the Iranian nuclear file.

And it is CNN information that set fire to the powder, reports Bloomberg this Wednesday morning even though negotiations have been underway since last month, aimed at concluding a diplomatic agreement with Tehran.

Several US officials have told CNN that they have obtained information suggesting that Israel is preparing to strike Iranian nuclear installations. It is not certain that Israeli leaders have made a final decision with regard to the execution of strikes, also declared anonymous officials in CNN.

“This information, based on American intelligence, could point out a significant escalation, encouraging the oil market to integrate a greater geopolitical risk premium for the region. Such a climbing would jeopardize not only the supply of Iran, but also that of a large part of the region,” said ING economists.

The two global oil references reacted to this information, to jump by more than 3%, before reducing their gains. This Wednesday morning around 10:00 am, the July Brent of the Northern Sea contract, a great international reference, earns another 1% at 66.05 Dollars per barrel while that of June on the WTI listed in New York wins 1.1% to 62.73 Dollars per barrel. “It seems that the market is not entirely convinced by this information, at least for the moment,” said ING specialists.

“The United States and Iran are leading indirect nuclear negotiations which, if it leads, could allow the market to continue its progression. However, these negotiations seem to run out of steam,” he added. A perspective which is not to be excluded in particular after the last statements of the Iranian supreme guide, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who says he is skeptical about the conclusion of an agreement.

A WTI at 40 dollars if they agree?

Last week, the oil lessons had settled, while Donald Trump mentioned potential Iranian nuclear agreement. Such an agreement could potentially raise or lighten the American embargo on Iranian oil.

Last April, the United States had sanctioned four Chinese companies which did not respect this embargo on Iranian oil, in particular a terminal which had acquired for 13 million barrels of crude between 2021 and 2025.

“If it is confirmed, such an agreement could lift the sanctions on the oil exports of Tehran, thus opening the way to its return to the world markets,” explained Ricardo Evangelista of Activtrades. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, the WTI price could drop up to $ 40 a barrel if the sanctions on Iranian oil exports were lifted.

According to the American Energy Agency, Iran is the world ninth producer of oil, with a production valued, in 2023, at 4 million barrels per day, or 4% of the total.