---
title: "Oil prices rise as Iran and US clash over Strait of Hormuz status"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/business/oil-prices-rise-as-iran-and-us-clash-over-strait-of-hormuz-status"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/oil-prices-rise-as-iran-and-us-clash-over-strait-of-hormuz-status"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/business/oil-prices-rise-as-iran-and-us-clash-over-strait-of-hormuz-status.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/oil-prices-rise-as-iran-and-us-clash-over-strait-of-hormuz-status"
category: "Business & Economy"
area: "Middle East"
published: "2026-08-19T06:45:43.539Z"
source_reported: "2026-08-19T05:57:32.000Z"
updated: "2026-08-19T06:45:43.539Z"
trust_score: 70
critic_score: 65
hype_score: 15
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-08-19T09:55:26.579Z"
---

# Oil prices rise as Iran and US clash over Strait of Hormuz status

*Conflicting statements from Tehran and Washington leave shipping routes uncertain after ceasefire expires*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 70 of 100, higher is better. Two full reports corroborate key details; digests agree on central claims.
- Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. Quotes and figures present; some digests lack depth or context.
- Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Headlines and language are measured and proportionate.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Brent crude futures rose 26 cents to $91.28 on 19 August, while WTI climbed 37 cents to $85.31, as supply uncertainty grew.
- Iran and the US issued conflicting statements on whether the Strait of Hormuz was open to shipping after a ceasefire expired on 18 August.
- Iraq’s cabinet approved mechanisms to export crude via alternative routes starting 1 September, avoiding the strait.
- Two Chinese shipping giants halted oil tanker traffic through Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb amid the conflict.

Oil prices rose for a fourth consecutive day on 19 August, driven by uncertainty over exports through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures increased 26 cents to $91.28, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed 37 cents to $85.31. Both contracts reached their highest levels since 24 July.

The rise followed conflicting statements from Iran and the US about the strait’s status. US President Donald Trump said no talks were taking place with Iran and insisted the Strait of Hormuz was open. Iran, however, asserted the waterway remained shut to shipping. A temporary ceasefire agreement expired on 18 August, and Iran shifted to a "fully offensive" military posture, according to a senior Iranian official quoted by Reuters.

Iraq’s cabinet approved new mechanisms to export crude through alternative routes, avoiding the Strait of Hormuz. The contracts, effective from 1 September, will run for three months. Meanwhile, two Chinese shipping companies halted oil tanker traffic through Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb, rerouting cargo collections outside the Gulf.

## Disagreement over the strait’s status

The Times of India and Channel News Asia reported that US President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz was open to shipping. The Times of India, The Hindu Business Line, and the Jerusalem Post carried Iran’s assertion that the strait remained shut. The Express Tribune’s digest did not specify which side it reported, stating only that Brent crude futures climbed to $91.71.

## What the coverage left out

No left-rated outlet ran this story. None of the digests or reports mentioned the expected fall in US crude stocks by 600,000 barrels for the week ended 14 August, as cited by the Times of India and Channel News Asia. The right-rated digests did not include Iraq’s cabinet approval of alternative export routes or the halt in Chinese tanker traffic.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 21 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 5% (1)
- Centre: 52% (11)
- Right: 43% (9)

14 of 35 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-19T09:55:26.579Z.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-19T07:00:19.920Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

No separate framing summary.

### Centre

- The six centre-rated digests and reports led on the conflicting statements from Iran and the US over the Strait of Hormuz’s status. All carried the rise in Brent crude futures to $91.28 and the shift in Iran’s military posture. The Jerusalem Post and Asia One included the US claim that no talks were taking place with Iran. The Straits Times and Maritime Reporter noted that six commodity vessels crossed the strait on 18 August, though most shipowners avoided it.
- Channel News Asia’s full report quoted the senior Iranian official’s statement to Reuters about moving to a "fully offensive" posture. It also included Iraq’s cabinet approval of alternative export routes and the halt in Chinese tanker traffic. WTVB’s digest, citing Reuters, led with the price rise and the conflicting messages from Tehran and Washington.

### Right

- The three right-rated digests and reports focused on the uncertainty over Hormuz exports and the rise in oil prices. The Times of India’s full report led with the price increase and the conflicting statements from Iran and the US. It included the expiration of the ceasefire, Iran’s shift to an offensive posture, and Iraq’s approval of alternative export routes. The report also noted that two Chinese shipping giants had stopped sending tankers through Hormuz.
- The Hindu Business Line’s digest carried Trump’s claim that the strait was open, contradicting Iran’s assertion. The Straits Times’ digest reported that six commodity vessels crossed the strait on 18 August but did not mention the US-Iran statements.

**Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- low: 1
- mixed: 5
- high: 11
- unknown: 16
- veryHigh: 2

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Seeking Alpha](https://seekingalpha.com/article/4938150-commodities-oil-rises-amid-us-iran-conflict) — Commodities: Oil Rises Amid U.S.-Iran Conflict
- [Arab News](https://arabnews.com/node/2655161/business-economy) — Oil extends climb on prolonged Hormuz export uncertainty
- [24 HU](https://24.hu/fn/gazdasag/2026/08/19/olajar-emelkedes-hormuzi-szoros-iran) — Oil Prices Have Been Rising Unstoppably for Four Days
- [Asharq AL-awsat](https://english.aawsat.com/world/5308657-hormuz-traffic-slows-uncertainty-over-waterway-persists) — Hormuz Traffic Slows as Uncertainty Over Waterway Persists
- [nin.rs](https://nin.rs/ekonomija/vesti/121088/cene-nafte-rastu-zbog-neizvesne-situacije-u-ormuskom-moreuzu) — Oil Prices Rise Due to Uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz
- [RTÉ](https://rte.ie/news/business/2026/0819/1588455-world-oil-prices) — Oil extends climb on prolonged Hormuz export uncertainty
- [La Libre](https://lalibre.be/economie/conjoncture/2026/08/19/le-prix-du-petrole-se-maintient-au-dessus-des-90-dollars-WOBL2GXZLNGOFCXOJAUGYU4UU4) — The Price of Oil Remains Above $90
- [NU](https://nu.nl/economie/6406773/olieprijzen-stijgen-opnieuw-na-onrust-in-straat-van-hormuz.html) — Oil Prices Rise Again Following Unrest in the Strait of Hormuz
- [大纪元 Epoch Times](https://epochtimes.com/b5/26/8/19/n14832674.htm) — Two Chinese Supertankers Turned Around in the Strait of Hormuz.
- [Invezz](https://invezz.com/news/2026/08/19/brent-hits-a-three-week-high-could-latest-hormuz-disruption-push-crude-towards-100) — Brent hits a three-week high: could latest Hormuz disruption push crude towards $100?
- [Halk TV](https://halktv.com.tr/ekonomi/19-agustos-akaryakit-fiyatlari-ne-kadar-petrol-benzin-motorin-lpg-1049729h) — Conflicting Statements in the Strait of Hormuz Triggered Oil Prices: the $90 Mark Was Exceeded.
- [The Express Tribune](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624696/oil-extends-climb-on-prolonged-hormuz-export-uncertainty) — Oil extends climb on prolonged Hormuz export uncertainty
- [The Hindu Business Line](https://thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/hormuz-traffic-slows-as-uncertainty-over-waterway-persists/article71363498.ece) — Hormuz traffic slows as uncertainty over waterway persists
- [شفق نيوز](https://shafaq.com/ar/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B7%D9%82%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85/%D8%B4%D9%84%D9%84-%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%B2-%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B1-6-%D8%B3%D9%81%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%82%D8%B7-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AB%D8%A7) — Shafaq News: Hormuz Paralysis continues... Only 6 Ships Crossed on Tuesday
- [Emirates24|7](https://emirates247.com/world/hormuz-traffic-slows-as-shipowners-avoid-strait-amid-iran-war-uncertainty-impacting-oil-and-lng-shipments/4684) — Hormuz traffic slows as shipowners avoid Strait amid Iran war uncertainty impacting oil and LNG shipments
- [censor.net](https://censor.net/biz/news/4019056/nafta-zrostaye-cherez-ryzyky-dlya-sudnoplavstva-v-ormuzkiyi-prototsi) — Oil Prices Rise Amid Uncertainty Around Strait of Hormuz
- [CDE News](https://cde.news/oil-extends-climb-on-prolonged-hormuz-export-uncertainty) — Oil extends climb on prolonged Hormuz export uncertainty
- [Cyprus Mail](https://cyprus-mail.com/2026/08/19/999183) — Shipping through Strait of Hormuz slows amid reopening uncertainty
- [maritimeprofessional.com](https://maritimeprofessional.com/news/hormuz-traffic-slows-uncertainty-persists-422171) — Hormuz Traffic Slows as Uncertainty Persists
- [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/asia/hormuz-traffic-slows-as-uncertainty-over-waterway-persists) — Hormuz traffic slows as uncertainty over waterway persists
- [CNN Greece](https://cnn.gr/oikonomia/agores/story/548448/pano-apo-ta-90-dolaria-aniforizei-i-timi-tou-brent-en-meso-diplomatikoy-adieksodou-ipa-kai-iran) — Brent Crude Oil Price Rises Above $90 Amid Diplomatic Standoff Between US and Iran
- [Reuters](https://reuters.com/business/energy/oil-edges-up-uncertainty-over-exports-through-hormuz-2026-08-19) — Oil edges up on uncertainty over exports through Hormuz
- [Mehr News Agency](https://mehrnews.com/news/6920895/%DA%AF%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B4-%D8%B1%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%B2-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%88%D8%B6%D8%B9%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%AF-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D9%86%DA%AF%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%B2) — Reuters Report on the Status of Ship Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz
- [Jerusalem Post](https://jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-905955) — Hormuz traffic slows as uncertainty over waterway persists
- [Blue Water Healthy Living](https://bluewaterhealthyliving.com/news/business-and-economy/oil-edges-up-on-uncertainty-over-exports-through-hormuz) — Oil extends climb on prolonged Hormuz export uncertainty
- [The Sunday Guardian Live](https://sundayguardianlive.com/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-oil-prices-rise-amid-us-iran-deadlock-as-strait-of-hormuz-supply-concerns-persist-brent-above-90-264483) — US-Israel-Iran War Live Updates: Oil Prices Rise Amid US-Iran Deadlock As Strait Of Hormuz Supply Concerns Persist; Brent Above $90
- [Times of India](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/commodities/news/oil-edges-up-on-uncertainty-over-exports-through-hormuz/articleshow/133335197.cms) — Oil edges up on uncertainty over exports through Hormuz
- [Asia One](https://asiaone.com/money/oil-edges-uncertainty-over-exports-through-hormuz) — Oil edges up on uncertainty over exports through Hormuz
- [Bitcoin World](https://bitcoinworld.co.in/wti-consolidates-below-8450-hormuz-standoff) — WTI Consolidates Below $84.50 As Hormuz Standoff Keeps Bullish Bias Alive
- [Oil Price](https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Oil-Prices-Rise-for-Fourth-Day-as-Hormuz-Traffic-Slows.html) — Oil Prices Rise for Fourth Day as Hormuz Traffic Slows
- [Channel News Asia](https://channelnewsasia.com/business/oil-edges-up-uncertainty-over-exports-through-hormuz-6327231) — Oil edges up on uncertainty over exports through Hormuz
- [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/08/18/oil-edges-up-on-uncertainty-over-exports-through-hormuz) — Oil edges up on uncertainty over exports through Hormuz
- [Maritime Reporter](https://marinelink.com/news/hormuz-traffic-slows-uncertainty-persists-542220) — Hormuz Traffic Slows as Uncertainty Persists
- [産経ニュース](https://sankei.com/article/20260819-X5G7QX7EDRMQ3IVTGLBTXIRROE) — NY Crude Oil Continued to Rise, Closing Above $84, Driven by Buying on Concerns About the Continued Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
- [Rigzone](https://rigzone.com/news/wire/oil_hits_threeweek_high_on_iran_standoff-18-aug-2026-184405-article) — Oil Hits Three-Week High on Iran Standoff

## Questions

**Why did oil prices rise on 19 August?**

Oil prices rose due to uncertainty over exports through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran and the US issued conflicting statements about its status. Brent crude futures climbed 26 cents to $91.28, while WTI rose 37 cents to $85.31, reflecting supply concerns.

**What did Iran and the US say about the Strait of Hormuz?**

US President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz was open to shipping and no talks were taking place with Iran. Iran asserted the strait remained shut. The conflicting statements followed the expiration of a temporary ceasefire on 18 August.

**How is Iraq responding to the Hormuz uncertainty?**

Iraq’s cabinet approved mechanisms to export crude via alternative routes, avoiding the Strait of Hormuz. The contracts, effective from 1 September, will run for three months, according to a government statement.

**Which outlets reported on this story?**

Six centre-rated outlets and three right-rated outlets ran the story. No left-rated outlet covered it. The Times of India and Channel News Asia published full reports, while the rest carried digests.

---

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