Oil Price Could Surpass $150 per Barrel This Week, RDIF CEO Says
Reported Facts
Observable data points shared across all narratives
- •On 2026-04-12, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund said oil prices could exceed $150 per barrel within a week if the Strait of Hormuz were blocked.
- •By 2026-04-13, benchmark oil prices had surged past $100 per barrel following US moves toward a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
- •On 2026-04-13, US President Donald Trump publicly vowed to block the Strait of Hormuz, threatening Iran’s main export route for crude.
- •US stock indexes fell on 2026-04-13 as rising oil prices and the threat to Hormuz weighed on Wall Street trading.
- •On 2026-04-13, reports from Middle Eastern outlets said oil prices rose while regional and global stock markets slipped after Trump’s blockade threat.
- •African financial coverage on 2026-04-13 described oil prices surging and local stock markets falling after Trump ordered preparations for a Hormuz blockade.
- •On 2026-04-13, cryptocurrency markets stalled as oil’s jump above $100 and the Hormuz blockade risk pushed investors toward safer assets.
- •By 2026-04-15, financial outlets reported oil prices trading flat as markets balanced fears of a prolonged Hormuz disruption against ongoing US–Iran contacts.
Core Disagreement— Main Driver
According to West, hormuz blockade threat drives supply fears and price surge. However, Russia sources see it as us actions and politics, not supply, push prices higher.
Narrative Split
How different information blocks interpret these facts
RU
Price Spike Warning
Russian reporting highlights the RDIF chief’s warning that oil could climb above $150 a barrel within days if the Hormuz crisis escalates. This view stresses that US actions around the strait, rather than market fundamentals, are driving the current rally. Russian voices suggest that producers like Russia could benefit from higher prices, while import-dependent economies would face serious strain.
- •Russian coverage cites the RDIF CEO predicting oil prices may exceed $150 per barrel as early as this week if the Strait of Hormuz is blocked.
- •Russian commentators describe the US threat to blockade Hormuz as the main trigger for the current oil price surge.
- •Reports in Russia argue that higher oil prices would boost export revenues for Russian producers.
- •Russian voices warn that energy-importing countries in Europe and Asia would suffer from a jump toward $150 oil.
- •Russian media suggest that Washington is using pressure around Hormuz to weaken Iran and reshape global oil flows.
FINANCE
Market Volatility Risks
Financial outlets focus on the sharp swings across oil, stocks, and crypto as traders react to the Hormuz blockade threat. Commentators stress that a full blockade could send crude toward $150, squeeze corporate profits, and push investors into safer assets. Many expect choppy trading to continue as markets weigh military risks against any diplomatic progress between Washington and Tehran.
- •Financial reports note that oil’s surge past $100 per barrel has coincided with declines in major stock indexes.
- •Market analysts quoted in financial media say a sustained Hormuz blockade could drive oil prices toward $150 per barrel.
WEST
Supply Shock Fears
Western coverage presents Trump’s threat to block the Strait of Hormuz as a direct risk to global oil supplies and a key driver of the price surge above $100. Commentators stress that any serious disruption to Gulf tanker traffic would hit consumers through higher fuel costs and pressure stock markets worldwide. Many expect further volatility as traders track both US naval moves and any response from Iran.
- •Western outlets link Trump’s vow to block the Strait of Hormuz to the sharp jump in oil prices above $100 per barrel.
- •US and European reports warn that blocking Hormuz would choke off a large share of global seaborne crude exports.
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Where Narratives Diverge
Key disagreements, blind spots, and what to watch next.
Main Driver◇Different Reading
West
Hormuz blockade threat drives supply fears and price surgeRussia
US actions and politics, not supply, push prices higherSo what
Readers cannot easily judge whether the price jump reflects real shortages or mainly political risk.
Winners Losers◇Different Reading
West
Higher oil mostly hurts consumers and global stock marketsRussia
Higher oil benefits exporters like Russia while importers sufferSo what
People get different pictures of which countries stand to gain or lose from a prolonged crisis.
Blockade Scope⚡Disputed
West
Trump orders preparations and vows to block HormuzFinance
Traders still weigh talks and partial disruption scenariosSo what
It is hard to know whether markets should expect a full shutdown of shipping or only limited interference.
Iran Response○Nobody Covers
No block gives clear details on Iran’s concrete military or diplomatic response to Trump’s blockade order, making it hard to judge how likely an actual clash in the Strait of Hormuz has become.
Shipping Data▸What to Watch
Tanker tracking data over the next week showing whether crude shipments through the Strait of Hormuz fall sharply or continue near normal levels would clarify if the blockade threat is being carried out or used mainly as pressure.
What Could Happen If...
- ▸If the US Navy moves to physically stop most tankers in the Strait of Hormuz over the coming days Global oil prices could jump toward or above $150 per barrel, forcing fuel rationing or subsidies in import-dependent countries and deepening stock market losses worldwide.
Market Exposure
Different sides disagree on how this affects markets. The same instrument may move in opposite directions depending on which reading proves correct.
According to Finance sources
CommodityBrent CrudeIncreased Volatility
The threatened US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing US–Iran talks pull Brent prices between fears of a supply shock and hopes of a diplomatic pause, causing sharp intraday swings.
Key Actors
Countries
Instruments
Organizations
Source Coverage
WEST
1 articles
RU
1 articles
More coverage on this story
- More on Russian Federation
- More on Brent crude oil
- More on Russian Direct Investment Fund
- More on Kirill Dmitriev
Narrative Analysis
Divergence Detectedconfidence: 95%
Signals
Cross-block coverage detectedMultiple blocks covering the same event
Related Events
▸Dmitriev predicts oil prices will exceed $100 per barrelArchived▸Crude Oil Nears $100 After 6% Surge Despite Ceasefire HopesArchived▸Goldman Sachs Lifts Oil Price Forecast Amid Middle East War DisruptionsArchived▸Oil and Gas Prices Surge as US Blockade of Hormuz Intensifies CrisisArchived▸Hormuz Blockade Cuts Global Oil Stocks Below 100 Days Demand