WTI loses traction below $82.50, concerns over Middle East fade

• WTI edges lower to $82.45 on Thursday as the fear of wider war in the Middle East eased. 
• Higher bets that the US Fed will delay rate cuts support the Greenback. 
• US commercial crude stockpiles last week fell by 6.368 million barrels, the largest drawdown since mid-January. 

Western Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $82.45 on Thursday. The black gold edges lower as the fear over wider conflict in the Middle East fades. Additionally, the hawkish tone from the Federal Reserve (Fed) boosts the US dollar (USD) and caps the upside of black gold. 

Perceived de-escalation between Iran and Israel, and the flow of oil from the Middle East, which has not been interrupted by conflict in the region, dragged the WTI prices lower in the last few sessions. However, any sign of rising tensions in the Middle East and stricter sanctions against Iran might cap the downside of the WTI price. 
 
Furthermore, the growing speculation that the US Federal Reserve (Fed will delay the interest rate provides some support to the Greenback and acts as a headwind for the black gold price. It’s worth noting that a strong dollar makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies. Several US Fed officials noted that rate cuts aren’t coming in the coming months as inflation remains stickier than expected. 

On the other hand. The US commercial crude stockpiles for the week ending April 19 fell by 6.368 million barrels from the previous reading of 2.735 million barrels built. This reading registered the largest drawdown since mid-January, according to data from the Energy Information Administration.