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Oil prices settled down more than 4% on February 1, 2026, after President Trump said Iran was 'seriously talking' with Washington. Brent and WTI fell from multi-month highs as the market priced out near-term strike risk.
A stronger dollar and milder US weather forecasts added pressure.
The removal of the geopolitical risk premium removes a supply-disruption cushion from crude, which lowers energy costs for feed production and transport. Lower crude also weakens the case for biofuel-linked demand for vegetable oils.
reuters.comShariq KhanFeb 1, 2026After 250 past bearish geopolitics events, Crude Oil (Brent) moved a median -3.1% over 5 sessions (36% higher; middle half -7.9% to +1.6%), and -5.5% over 20.
After 255 past bearish geopolitics events, Crude Oil (WTI) moved a median -2.4% over 5 sessions (31% higher; middle half -7.0% to +1.7%), and -5.0% over 20.
Moves of each commodity's benchmark from the last close before the event. Historical reads pool past events of the same kind; they describe what happened, not what will. Not investment advice.
Oil settled down over 4% on US-Iran de-escalation, a stronger dollar and milder weather, though the dating is slightly off.
