European Financial Institution: Oil Price Unlikely to Return to Pre-US-Iran Conflict Levels in the Short Term

**Oil Prices Unlikely to Return to Pre-U.S.-Iran Conflict Levels Short-Term: European Firms** CCTV News reported on April 9 that several European financial institutions released reports on April 8 predicting international oil prices won’t rebound to pre-U.S.-Iran conflict levels in the short term. Markets should monitor the Strait of Hormuz situation and Middle Eastern energy infrastructure recovery. ING Group noted a two-week U.S.-Iran ceasefire has eased market fears of long-term supply disruptions, pushing oil prices below $100/bbl. Future price trends hinge on whether negotiations yield a lasting deal and Strait shipping returns to normal. Volatility is expected to persist during talks. UBS Group said it’s unclear when Strait shipping will resume—or to what extent—while some tankers need time to reroute. A fresh blockage could spark a quick price rebound. Even optimistically, infrastructure repairs and production recovery will take weeks, if not months. Thus, energy prices won’t drop back to pre-conflict levels soon.