Brent Crude at $99.2: Third Ship Attack Puts Oil Within $0.80 of $100 — What Crossing That Line Means

# Brent Crude at $99.2: Third Ship Attack Puts Oil Within $0.80 of $100 — What Crossing That Line Means

> **Quick answer:** Brent crude reached $99.2 per barrel on April 22, 2026 — its highest level since the 2022 energy crisis — after Iran fired on three vessels in the Strait of Hormuz in a single day, including disabling the Greek-owned container ship Euphoria. WTI crude stands at $90.3. With Pakistan-brokered peace talks stalled and the ceasefire extension indefinite but fragile, oil is $0.80 away from the $100 line that triggers a new wave of consumer and market consequences. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personal financial decisions.

Brent crude is sitting at $99.2 per barrel and the entire oil market is holding its breath. Iran's third ship attack of the day — disabling the container vessel Euphoria in the Strait of Hormuz — sent prices to within touching distance of $100, a threshold that carries real consequences for gas pumps, energy stocks, airline margins, and household budgets across the world.

## The Third Ship: What Happened to the Euphoria

The Greek-owned, Panama-flagged container ship Euphoria was transiting outbound through the Strait of Hormuz on April 22, 2026, when an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) gunboat opened fire. According to Iran's state-run Fars and Mehr news agencies, the vessel is now "disabled" and stranded near the Iranian coastline.

The Euphoria attack came hours after Iran seized two other vessels — the MSC Francesca (flagged Panama, linked to Israeli interests) and the Epaminondas (Liberian flag, accused by Iran of "tampering with navigation systems"). The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) reported that the initial attack on the first vessel came without a standard hailing challenge, a protocol escalation that signals a shift toward more aggressive enforcement posture.