Oil Markets Ignore Red Flags as Global Energy Crisis Deepens

Global oil markets remain under severe stress as Hormuz disruptions, weak economic data, and tightening inventories reshape energy flows worldwide. Friday, May 22, 2026 In a week of contradicting narratives, the largest ever US inventory drawdown sparked only a minor bullish moment as media reports of some form of negotiations between the US and Iran continue to resonate. With Europe posting its worst macroeconomic numbers since 2023 and the IEA warning of oil markets hitting the ‘red zone’ by J