Oil prices surged sharply on Wednesday as the Iran conflict continued to disrupt flows through the Persian Gulf, with the global benchmark pulling decisively away from U.S. crude as the Brent-WTI spread widened to roughly $10 per barrel, signaling mounting stress in seaborne supply markets.
Brent crude climbed to about $108.40 per barrel while U.S. West Texas Intermediate traded near $98.50, according to pricing on Oilprice.com, pushing the spread to its widest level in months and well above its typical $2-$5 range.
The divergence reflects a market increasingly pricing risk around barrels exposed to the Strait of Hormuz, where military activity tied to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has begun to disrupt tanker movements and raise insurance and freight costs.
π @EastCalling
Brent crude climbed to about $108.40 per barrel while U.S. West Texas Intermediate traded near $98.50, according to pricing on Oilprice.com, pushing the spread to its widest level in months and well above its typical $2-$5 range.
The divergence reflects a market increasingly pricing risk around barrels exposed to the Strait of Hormuz, where military activity tied to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has begun to disrupt tanker movements and raise insurance and freight costs.
Please open Telegram to view this post
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
The prices of oil and European natural gas rose immediately after Iran's statement about the damage to its energy facilities on the coast in the Persian Gulf, reports Bloomberg.
These are the most extensive strikes on an industry that is of critical importance to Tehran since the beginning of the war.
The price of Brent oil rose by 2.7% to $105.87 per barrel, and the price of European natural gas increased by 1.8%.
As reported by Iranian state television, several facilities were attacked, including the South Pars gas field, which is a source of supplies to Turkey, a refinery, and an unspecified petrochemical facility near the city of Asaluye.
π @EastCalling
These are the most extensive strikes on an industry that is of critical importance to Tehran since the beginning of the war.
The price of Brent oil rose by 2.7% to $105.87 per barrel, and the price of European natural gas increased by 1.8%.
As reported by Iranian state television, several facilities were attacked, including the South Pars gas field, which is a source of supplies to Turkey, a refinery, and an unspecified petrochemical facility near the city of Asaluye.
Please open Telegram to view this post
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
East Calling
The prices of oil and European natural gas rose immediately after Iran's statement about the damage to its energy facilities on the coast in the Persian Gulf, reports Bloomberg. These are the most extensive strikes on an industry that is of critical importanceβ¦
Iran stated that the US and Israel carried out strikes on its South Pars gas field, and some gas and oil facilities were put out of action.
After this, the IRGC demanded that personnel in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE immediately leave the petrochemical plants. In other words, it made it clear that there would be retaliatory strikes.
π @EastCalling
After this, the IRGC demanded that personnel in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE immediately leave the petrochemical plants. In other words, it made it clear that there would be retaliatory strikes.
Please open Telegram to view this post
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
π8
The President of Iran expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and to the entire nation.
Source: Zvezda
Please open Telegram to view this post
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
An Iranian source told Naya: After the American attack on gas facilities in southern Iran, Iranian gas exports to Iraq have been completely halted.
π @EastCalling
Please open Telegram to view this post
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
π₯2π1
Media is too big
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
Belousov inspected the "North" grouping during a working trip to the Special Military Operation zone, reported the Defense Ministry.
Main points:
πΉThe minister heard reports on the progress of combat tasks, with a focus on expanding the security zone in the Sumy and Kharkov regions.
πΉThe grouping commander reported to Belousov that since the beginning of the year, 7 launchers of the HIMARS and MLRS multiple rocket launcher systems produced by the USA have been detected and destroyed.
πΉBelousov was also informed that the effectiveness of destroying long-range drones has been significantly improved.
πΉAn analytical center has been established at the drone systems command post, which assesses the effectiveness of drone operators' combat work in real time.
πΉBelousov presented state awards to military personnel of the grouping who distinguished themselves in the performance of combat tasks.
Source: RIA Novosti
β β β
π @EastCalling
Main points:
πΉThe minister heard reports on the progress of combat tasks, with a focus on expanding the security zone in the Sumy and Kharkov regions.
πΉThe grouping commander reported to Belousov that since the beginning of the year, 7 launchers of the HIMARS and MLRS multiple rocket launcher systems produced by the USA have been detected and destroyed.
πΉBelousov was also informed that the effectiveness of destroying long-range drones has been significantly improved.
πΉAn analytical center has been established at the drone systems command post, which assesses the effectiveness of drone operators' combat work in real time.
πΉBelousov presented state awards to military personnel of the grouping who distinguished themselves in the performance of combat tasks.
Source: RIA Novosti
Please open Telegram to view this post
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
π₯2
This media is not supported in your browser
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
Huge crowds participated in the funeral procession of Dr. Ali Larijani (may God have mercy on his soul) and his companions in Revolution Square in Tehran.
π @EastCalling
Please open Telegram to view this post
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
π9π₯6
Please open Telegram to view this post
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
π₯7
Forwarded from The American Majority
I am almost entirely convinced that Trump won't accept defeat and will double down and send the troops. His ego is way too big and he is way too retarded not to. Depending on what the mission will be, those soldiers will get killed, which will make the ego oy vey even worse.
I do not believe Trump, his administration, or the "people" behind the scene have any intention of cutting their losses and backing out of this situation.
I do not believe Trump, his administration, or the "people" behind the scene have any intention of cutting their losses and backing out of this situation.
π―18π₯1
Please open Telegram to view this post
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
π₯14
The trilateral negotiations between Russia, the US, and Ukraine are currently on pause, Peskov stated.
Kirill Dmitriev continues to work within the framework of the bilateral group between Russia and the United States, Dmitry Peskov stated.
Source: TASS
β β β
π @EastCalling
Kirill Dmitriev continues to work within the framework of the bilateral group between Russia and the United States, Dmitry Peskov stated.
Source: TASS
Please open Telegram to view this post
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
π4
Brief Frontline Report β March 18th, 2026
Summary by Marat Khairullin and Mikhail Popov.
Message from the Russian Ministry of Defense: "Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov congratulated the command and personnel of the 283rd Motorized Rifle Regiment on the liberation of the settlement of Aleksandrovka in the Donetsk People's Republic.
'Servicemen of the regiment, displaying bravery and selflessness, are conducting liberation battles. As a result of professional and decisive actions, the enemy has suffered significant losses and fled. Following combat traditions, you, sparing nothing, defend the interests of our Motherland, and the memory of your feats of arms will remain for centuries,' stated the congratulatory telegram from the Russian Defense Minister."
On March 5 and 6, the Russian Armed Forces liberated two key settlements upon which the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defensive hub in the Izyum direction relied: Yarovaya and Sosnovoe. A bridgehead was prepared for developing the offensive north toward Rubtsy-Oskol, aiming for crossings over the Oskol River, and southwest toward Svyatogorsk, reaching the left bank of the Seversky Donets River at the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defense sector of Studenok-Svyatogorsk-Sidorovo. By advancing Russian formations to the Bogorodichnoe-Sidorovo line, a deep operational envelopment of the Slavyansk sector from the north will be formed, threatening to reach the rear of the agglomeration.
Such an advance by Russian formations is possible if the threat from the right flankβfrom the Koroviy Yar - Rubtsy - Krymki areaβis eliminated, and crossings over the Oskol River in the area of the Oskol settlement are blocked, which would deprive the enemy of the ability to maneuver reserves from the right bank.
In order to accomplish this operational task, the "West" Group, with its left flank, began moving in the direction from Novoselovka to Rubtsy. On March 18, units of the 283rd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 144th Guards Motorized Rifle Division liberated the settlement of Aleksandrovka (49Β°06β²56β³ N 37Β°35β²25β³ E, population 500 in 2001) and reached the border of the Donetsk People's Republic and Kharkov Oblast. Ahead lies a well-fortified enemy defensive hub, relying on the defense areas of Koroviy Yar - Rubtsy - Krymki, which covers access to crossings and the road network along clearings and paths in the Izyum pine forest.
β β β
Read this report and many others on Marat Khairullin's Substack! That's where I post the high-definition maps, and frankly, the formatting on Substack makes the reports easier to follow. Any questions for Marat and Mikhail will be answered there.
#MaratBattlefieldSummaries
π @EastCalling
Summary by Marat Khairullin and Mikhail Popov.
Message from the Russian Ministry of Defense: "Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov congratulated the command and personnel of the 283rd Motorized Rifle Regiment on the liberation of the settlement of Aleksandrovka in the Donetsk People's Republic.
'Servicemen of the regiment, displaying bravery and selflessness, are conducting liberation battles. As a result of professional and decisive actions, the enemy has suffered significant losses and fled. Following combat traditions, you, sparing nothing, defend the interests of our Motherland, and the memory of your feats of arms will remain for centuries,' stated the congratulatory telegram from the Russian Defense Minister."
On March 5 and 6, the Russian Armed Forces liberated two key settlements upon which the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defensive hub in the Izyum direction relied: Yarovaya and Sosnovoe. A bridgehead was prepared for developing the offensive north toward Rubtsy-Oskol, aiming for crossings over the Oskol River, and southwest toward Svyatogorsk, reaching the left bank of the Seversky Donets River at the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defense sector of Studenok-Svyatogorsk-Sidorovo. By advancing Russian formations to the Bogorodichnoe-Sidorovo line, a deep operational envelopment of the Slavyansk sector from the north will be formed, threatening to reach the rear of the agglomeration.
Such an advance by Russian formations is possible if the threat from the right flankβfrom the Koroviy Yar - Rubtsy - Krymki areaβis eliminated, and crossings over the Oskol River in the area of the Oskol settlement are blocked, which would deprive the enemy of the ability to maneuver reserves from the right bank.
In order to accomplish this operational task, the "West" Group, with its left flank, began moving in the direction from Novoselovka to Rubtsy. On March 18, units of the 283rd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 144th Guards Motorized Rifle Division liberated the settlement of Aleksandrovka (49Β°06β²56β³ N 37Β°35β²25β³ E, population 500 in 2001) and reached the border of the Donetsk People's Republic and Kharkov Oblast. Ahead lies a well-fortified enemy defensive hub, relying on the defense areas of Koroviy Yar - Rubtsy - Krymki, which covers access to crossings and the road network along clearings and paths in the Izyum pine forest.
Read this report and many others on Marat Khairullin's Substack! That's where I post the high-definition maps, and frankly, the formatting on Substack makes the reports easier to follow. Any questions for Marat and Mikhail will be answered there.
#MaratBattlefieldSummaries
Please open Telegram to view this post
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
Please open Telegram to view this post
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
This media is not supported in your browser
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
Joe Kent, the former head of the US National Counterterrorism Center who resigned yesterday, went on Tucker Carlson's show where he directly stated that the Trump administration had no intelligence that Iran was developing a nuclear weapon nor did they have any reason to believe this was the case.
π @EastCalling
Please open Telegram to view this post
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
π8π―6π₯3
East Calling
So Donald CAN say βNOβ to Israelβ¦ π @EastCalling
This media is not supported in your browser
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
Footage of a strike at Ras Laffan natural gas facilities, the largest industrial gas hub in Qatar
Source: Tasnim
π @EastCalling
Source: Tasnim
Please open Telegram to view this post
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
π₯12