Oil Prices Reach Monthly High Amid US-Iran Tensions, Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Declines

Oil prices have surged to their highest levels since June 11 due to escalating security tensions between the United States and Iran. Brent crude is trading around $90 per barrel, while WTI crude is near $84 per barrel. These increases have persisted for about a week following the intensification of the conflict between Washington and Tehran, with market concerns focused on potential disruptions to energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, the foreign exchange market opened relatively stable, with the US dollar trading at approximately 3.03 shekels and the euro at about 3.47 shekels, close to the official rates set on Friday. However, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange opened with slight declines; the TA-35 index fell by about 0.15%, and the TA-125 index dropped by a similar margin. This follows a volatile week in which the leading indices first rose by over 2% before correcting downward and losing more than 1% combined on Thursday and Friday.