Brent rose to US$101.21 and WTI to US$96.05 a barrel on 9 Sep 2026, up about US$3 each, after US strikes on Iranian oil tankers near Kharg Island and Iranian retaliation. Trump reportedly expects no significant oil price drop until after the November midterms. The US CPI release on 11 Sep and the Fed meeting on 16 Sep could move rates, which affects loan costs. For an SME: review diesel and fuel budgets, check whether suppliers will pass on higher freight costs, and avoid locking in cost assumptions that assume oil falls soon.