When Will Gas Prices Come Down? Post-Iran Conflict Dynamics, Tight Inventories, and the Path to Pre-War Levels

Gasoline prices in the U.S. have eased from crisis peaks above $4.50 per gallon but remain stubbornly elevated. As of June 15, 2026, the national average for regular gasoline stood around $4.05 per gallon (with some reports citing ~$3.90–$3.99 recently), still more than $1 above pre-war (pre-2022) levels that were consistently under $3 per gallon. […]

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India Orders Major Strategic Oil Reserve Upgrade

In a decisive move to strengthen its energy security amid recent global supply disruptions, the Indian government has directed state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to construct and fill a new underground strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) cavern at Mangaluru in Karnataka. The project, estimated at around $1.6 billion, will add 1.75 million metric tons […]

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Iran Asserts Control over Hormuz, Setting Stage for Tolls as Oil Tankers Hold Back Amid Lingering Uncertainty

Iran is tightening its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil chokepoint, with new rules requiring ships to obtain permission and secure insurance from Tehran. This move explicitly paves the way for future tolls, even as a fragile U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed earlier this week aimed to normalize flows. […]

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Trump Opens SPR for Emergency Release: A Bold Move Amid Global Oil Turmoil

In a decisive response to skyrocketing oil prices triggered by the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, President Donald Trump has authorized the release of 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). This marks the largest drawdown under his administration and is part of a historic international effort coordinated by the International Energy Agency (IEA) to […]

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How Has China\’s Crude Stockpile Given the Oil Market a Safety Net? Will Filling the SPR Help in That Net?

In an era of geopolitical tensions, supply disruptions, and shifting energy dynamics, strategic oil reserves have emerged as critical buffers for global markets. China\’s aggressive crude stockpiling strategy has played a pivotal role in stabilizing oil prices and mitigating risks from sanctions and conflicts. But how exactly has this provided a safety net? And could […]

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Filling the U.S. Oil Reserve Pushed Back Seven Months

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has delayed plans to replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) by seven months, pushing back significant repurchasing efforts to mid-2025. This setback, driven by rising oil prices and budgetary constraints, raises concerns about the nation’s energy security at a time of global market volatility. Below, we explore the reasons […]

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