Oil prices declined slightly as markets balanced reported Houthi attacks on Saudi Aramco and Iranian threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz against U.S. discussions on easing sanctions for shadow-fleet vessels. Maritime officials stated that two ships sank near the strait in the past 24 hours, coinciding with a reported surge in regional attacks linked to U.

S. port blockades. A U.S. official indicated that the administration is considering permitting previously sanctioned vessels to transport "legal oil" to mitigate freight costs, though these policy changes remain under discussion.