Oil prices slipped on Friday as traders balanced fresh uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz against escalating risks to Russian energy infrastructure. WTI crude was down 0.29% at $83.29 a barrel, while Brent crude fell 0.19% to $88.35 in early trade on August 28.

Brent had rebounded in the previous session, but the broader weekly trend remained weaker as markets assessed whether diplomatic efforts involving Iran could eventually improve crude flows through the key Middle East chokepoint. Iranian officials have indicated that Tehran is preparing conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz after mediators asked it to outline its demands.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei said Iran had agreed with Oman on a shipping corridor through the strait, but linked reopening to conditions including an end to the regional conflict. A Guards spokesperson separately said the strait would not reopen unless Washington lifted what Tehran calls a blockade of Iranian ports, paid compensation and removed sanctions.

At the same time, the Russia-Ukraine conflict is creating fresh concerns over global refined fuel supplies. Reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin said talks with Ukraine had produced no results and that Moscow was preparing to intensify the war have shifted some market attention towards Eastern Europe.

Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries and ports are disrupting energy infrastructure, potentially limiting Russia's ability to export crude and refined products. The disruption comes as diesel markets are already showing signs of tightness. Separately, Venezuela is examining a potential exit from OPEC, according to people familiar with the matter.

While its diminished production means an immediate supply impact would likely be limited, a withdrawal could raise fresh questions over OPEC's cohesion and its ability to influence global crude prices. ALSO READ: Stock Market Today: All You Need To Know Going Into Trade On August 28 Essential Business Intelligence, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice, Daily Fuel, Gold and Silver Prices and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.

Israeli public broadcasters reported that the United States notified Israel of plans to escalate military operations against Iran in the coming days. This information, attributed to unnamed sources, has not been independently verified by official U.S. or Iranian government channels.

The U.S. military stated on Sunday that it had concluded a recent campaign of airstrikes against Iran, which included targeting the Revolutionary Guard. These actions were reportedly undertaken in response to an attack in Jordan that the U.S. said resulted in the deaths of American troops.

Belarusian military expert Andrei Bogodel stated that the ongoing conflict has not resulted in updated combat manuals for nations including Russia, Belarus, and the United States. He cited the reported disbanding of a U.S. experimental drone strike battalion as evidence that the U.

S. has deemed certain Ukrainian tactical experiences incompatible with its own doctrine, emphasizing that drones should remain a tool rather than a replacement for soldiers.