{"id":59454,"date":"2026-03-05T16:38:26","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T20:38:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/u-s-treasury-eyes-futures-intervention-as-saudi-arabia-hikes-oil-prices-amid-regional-attacks\/59454\/"},"modified":"2026-03-05T16:38:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T20:38:26","slug":"u-s-treasury-eyes-futures-intervention-as-saudi-arabia-hikes-oil-prices-amid-regional-attacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/u-s-treasury-eyes-futures-intervention-as-saudi-arabia-hikes-oil-prices-amid-regional-attacks\/59454\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Treasury Eyes Futures Intervention as Saudi Arabia Hikes Oil Prices Amid Regional Attacks"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The U.S. Treasury is preparing to intervene in oil futures markets<\/strong> to combat skyrocketing energy prices, with an announcement expected as early as Thursday.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Saudi Aramco (<a href=\"\/stock\/2222.SR\">2222.SR<\/a>) significantly raised its April Official Selling Prices (OSPs)<\/strong>, setting the Arab Light grade at a <strong>+$4.60\/bbl premium<\/strong> for the U.S. and <strong>+$2.50\/bbl<\/strong> for Asia.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Drone strikes targeted a U.S.-operated oilfield and an Iranian opposition camp<\/strong> in Iraqi Kurdistan, intensifying security fears and supply disruption risks in the Middle East.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Global oil benchmarks surged<\/strong>, with WTI crude futures settling up <strong>8.5% at $81.01 per barrel<\/strong> as the market reacts to the escalating conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The <strong>U.S. Treasury Department<\/strong> is expected to unveil a series of aggressive measures as soon as Thursday to address the rapid rise in energy costs. According to a senior <strong>White House<\/strong> official, the administration is considering direct action within the <strong>oil futures markets<\/strong> to curb volatility and provide relief to consumers. This potential intervention follows comments from Treasury Secretary <strong>Scott Bessent<\/strong>, who signaled that the government is exploring all financial mechanisms to stabilize global energy shipments.<\/p>\n<p>In a move that further tightens the global market, <strong>Saudi Aramco (<a href=\"\/stock\/2222.SR\">2222.SR<\/a>)<\/strong> announced sharp increases for its April crude pricing. The state-owned giant set the <strong>Arab Light OSP<\/strong> for the United States at <strong>+$4.60 per barrel<\/strong> over the Argus Sour Crude Index (ASCI). For the Asian market, the premium was raised to <strong>+$2.50 per barrel<\/strong> over the Oman\/Dubai benchmark, while Northwest European buyers will face a <strong>+$2.85 per barrel<\/strong> premium over ICE Brent.<\/p>\n<p>Geopolitical tensions reached a boiling point in <strong>Iraqi Kurdistan<\/strong> on Thursday following a pair of drone attacks. Security sources confirmed that an oilfield operated by a <strong>U.S. firm<\/strong> was struck, resulting in a fire and a temporary suspension of operations at the facility. Simultaneously, a separate drone strike hit an <strong>Iranian opposition camp<\/strong> in the region, highlighting the broadening scope of the regional conflict.<\/p>\n<p>The combination of supply-side threats and official price hikes has sent energy markets into a frenzy. <strong>WTI Crude<\/strong> prices jumped more than <strong>14%<\/strong> since the start of the week, as traders price in the risk of a prolonged war involving <strong>Iran<\/strong>. Market analysts warn that if the <strong>Strait of Hormuz<\/strong> remains a flashpoint for naval confrontations, the Treasury&#39;s planned intervention in the futures market may face significant hurdles in achieving long-term price stability.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways The U.S. Treasury is preparing to intervene in oil futures markets to combat skyrocketing energy prices, with an 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