Oil Prices Surge 3.7% as U.S.-Iran Standoff Triggers Higher 2026 Forecasts

Economists and oil market analysts have hiked their oil price forecasts for 2026 amid rising geopolitical tensions and heightened war premium due to the U.S.-Iran standoff.  Both crude oil benchmarks are now expected to average above $60 per barrel this year, with price forecasts higher by about $1.50 per barrel compared to a month ago, the monthly Reuters poll showed on Friday.  Despite ongoing concerns about an oversupplied market, the 34 analysts and economists surveyed by Reuters in February raised their projections in view of uncertainties…