Stockpile releases buy time, but oil prices keep rising on Hormuz disruption

Oil prices jumped more than 17% after the IEA announced the largest emergency stockpile release in its history, with Brent above $100 as supply gaps from the Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz persist. The 400 million barrels released by 30+ countries, led by 172 million from the U.S., will not instantly close the gap and will be drawn down over about 120 days, covering only a fraction of the disrupted supply. Analysts say the move buys time but cannot solve the crisis, and prices could still rise to $110–$135 if the war persists and the Strait remains blocked, while governments face the risk of depleting stockpiles.