# Brent reaches £112 a barrel amid attacks near key Gulf shipping routes

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/oil-prices-jump-to-five-month-high-as-attacks-threaten-global-supply/
- Published: 2026-10-22T11:28:11+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-22T11:48:11+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/oct/22/oil-prices-jump-five-month-high-threats-supply
- Topics: Business, Middle East, Software, Technology, World

## Key points

- Brent crude reached $112 a barrel, a five-month high.
- Vessel strikes and attacks in Saudi Arabia heightened supply fears.
- Gulf oil exports have recovered above prewar levels.

## Summary

Oil prices rose sharply as attacks in Saudi Arabia and strikes on vessels near the Strait of Hormuz raised fears of renewed disruption to global crude supplies. Brent crude climbed 3% to $112 a barrel, its highest level since 18 May, amid concern that the conflict could widen.

The Houthis said to be aligned with Iran attacked targets in Saudi Arabia, killing four people and injuring eight, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it hit four vessels in the northern Gulf and that three others struck mines. The US ordered some diplomats’ family members to leave Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Aramco told staff to evacuate its Dhahran headquarters and work remotely. Brent previously peaked at $126 in April, but Gulf oil exports have since risen above prewar levels, partly through pipelines; global share markets fell on Thursday.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.