Global Energy Shock: Crude Pierces $118 Amid West Asian Escalation.

Market Meltdown: Supply fears and Strait of Hormuz paralysis trigger a historic 30% price surge.

Global oil markets have entered a state of emergency as Brent crude hit $118 and WTI jumped 30% following intensified conflict in the Persian Gulf. With the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint for 20% of global supply—nearly paralysed by missile threats, major producers like Kuwait and the UAE are forcing output cuts as storage hits capacity.The impact extends far beyond the pump. In the US, gasoline prices have spiked to $3.45/gallon, while in India, the surge threatens the FMCG and paint sectors, where petroleum derivatives account for up to 40% of production costs. From detergents to packaging, the cost of daily essentials is poised to climb. Analysts warn that if crude remains above the $100 threshold, the global economy faces a severe inflationary struggle reminiscent of the 2022 energy crisis, potentially stalling post-pandemic recovery.