Oil Prices Drop Despite Middle East Tensions: What's Going On?

The Middle East is a hotspot for oil production, supplying about a third of the world's oil. Recently, Iran launched missiles at a U. S. military base in Qatar, raising concerns about a wider conflict. Surprisingly, oil prices dropped instead of rising. This might seem odd, but it shows that the global energy landscape has changed a lot in recent years. The U. S. has become the world's top oil producer, thanks to new technology. This has led to a surplus of oil, driving prices down. Gas prices have been falling for about three years, even during peak travel seasons. Experts say this is because of U. S. tariffs on trading partners, which have suppressed demand. Despite the recent drop in oil prices, gas stations haven't lowered their prices yet. This is because they bought their fuel supplies before the price drop. However, experts expect gas prices to start falling soon. The U. S. is producing record amounts of oil and natural gas. But many energy companies are shutting down drilling operations because low prices make it unprofitable. Meanwhile, other countries are increasing production. For example, the OPEC+ alliance recently announced it would boost production. However, global demand for oil is weakening. The International Energy Agency reports that oil's share of global energy demand fell below 30% for the first time ever. This is partly due to the rise of electric vehicles and more efficient engines. New energy technology is also changing the game. Last year, 80% of the increase in global electricity generation came from renewable sources like wind and solar. As more alternative energy sources become established, demand for oil falls. Major tech companies are also investing in nuclear power to meet their energy needs.