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Moneta Markets

Middle East Tensions Lift US Dollar as Oil Climbs and Safe-Haven Flows Return | 13th July, 2026

Safe Havens Return

Global financial markets opened the week with renewed caution as escalating tensions in the Middle East boosted demand for the US Dollar and supported higher crude oil prices. Fresh concerns surrounding Iran increased geopolitical risk premiums across commodity and currency markets, while expectations of further Federal Reserve rate hikes reinforced the Greenback’s strength. As investors shifted toward defensive positioning, gold retreated despite heightened geopolitical uncertainty, and commodity-linked as well as traditional safe-haven currencies faced renewed pressure. Market participants will continue monitoring developments in the Middle East alongside upcoming US economic data for further direction across global financial markets.

WTI Crude Oil Forecast (WTI)

Current Price and Context

WTI crude oil climbed above the $74.00 per barrel level, extending its recent gains as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continued supporting supply risk premiums. Despite the advance, the broader technical outlook remains cautious, with prices still trading below the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level and the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA).

Key Drivers

Geopolitical Risks: Escalating tensions involving Iran continue raising concerns over potential supply disruptions, providing strong support for oil prices.

US Economic Data: Market participants remain focused on US economic indicators that could influence global fuel demand expectations.

FOMC Outcome: Expectations for tighter monetary policy remain important, as higher borrowing costs may eventually weigh on energy demand.

Trade Policy: Stable international trade flows continue supporting long-term oil consumption despite geopolitical uncertainty.

Monetary Policy: Global central bank policy expectations remain an important factor influencing commodity demand and market sentiment.

Technical Outlook

Trend: WTI remains in a short-term recovery but continues facing broader bearish technical pressure.

Resistance: The $75.00 region represents the nearest resistance level.

Support: The $73.50-$74.00 area continues serving as immediate technical support.

Forecast: Oil prices may remain elevated while geopolitical risks persist, although technical resistance could limit stronger upside momentum.

Sentiment and Catalysts

Market Sentiment: Market sentiment remains cautiously bullish as geopolitical concerns continue outweighing technical weakness.

Catalysts: Middle East developments, OPEC+ announcements, US crude inventory data, and global economic releases will likely determine the next move.

United States Dollar Index Forecast (DXY)

Current Price and Context

The United States Dollar Index remained above the 101.00 level as renewed Middle East tensions encouraged investors to seek safety in the US Dollar. Expectations that the Federal Reserve could maintain a restrictive monetary policy also continued supporting the Greenback.

Key Drivers

Geopolitical Risks: Rising geopolitical uncertainty has increased safe-haven demand for the US Dollar.

US Economic Data: Investors continue monitoring inflation and labor market indicators for additional policy guidance.

FOMC Outcome: Expectations for further Federal Reserve rate hikes remain supportive of the Dollar.

Trade Policy: Stable global trade conditions have had a limited influence compared with geopolitical developments.

Monetary Policy: Higher-for-longer interest rate expectations continue attracting demand for US Dollar-denominated assets.

Technical Outlook

Trend: The Dollar Index remains in a short-term bullish trend after recovering above the 101.00 level.

Resistance: The 101.50 region represents the nearest resistance.

Support: The 101.00 level continues serving as immediate support.

Forecast: The Dollar could extend gains if geopolitical tensions escalate further or US economic data reinforces expectations for tighter monetary policy.

Sentiment and Catalysts

Market Sentiment: Market sentiment remains bullish toward the US Dollar as investors continue favoring defensive assets.

Catalysts: US inflation data, Treasury yields, Federal Reserve communication, and Middle East developments will likely determine the next move.

Gold Forecast (XAU/USD)

Current Price and Context

Gold retreated toward the $4,050 level as renewed strength in the US Dollar and expectations for additional Federal Reserve rate hikes outweighed safe-haven demand arising from escalating tensions involving Iran. Although geopolitical uncertainty typically supports gold prices, stronger Treasury yields and Dollar demand limited investor appetite.

Key Drivers

Geopolitical Risks: Ongoing tensions involving Iran continue providing underlying support for gold, though stronger Dollar demand has offset much of that benefit.

US Economic Data: Investors remain focused on upcoming US inflation and employment reports.

FOMC Outcome: Hawkish Federal Reserve expectations continue pressuring non-yielding assets such as gold.

Trade Policy: Trade developments remain secondary compared with monetary policy and geopolitical events.

Monetary Policy: Elevated US interest rate expectations continue increasing the opportunity cost of holding gold.

Technical Outlook

Trend: Gold remains in a short-term corrective trend.

Resistance: The $4,100 level represents the nearest resistance.

Support: The $4,050 region continues serving as immediate technical support.

Forecast: Gold may remain under pressure unless geopolitical risks escalate significantly or the Federal Reserve adopts a more dovish policy stance.

Sentiment and Catalysts

Market Sentiment: Market sentiment remains cautiously bearish as Dollar strength outweighs safe-haven buying.

Catalysts: US inflation data, Treasury yields, Federal Reserve communication, and geopolitical developments will likely determine the next move.

Canadian Dollar Forecast (USD/CAD)

Current Price and Context

The Canadian Dollar edged lower after reports that the United States launched another wave of strikes against Iran, boosting demand for the US Dollar despite higher crude oil prices. The geopolitical impact outweighed the traditional positive relationship between rising oil prices and the Canadian Dollar.

Key Drivers

Geopolitical Risks: Escalating Middle East tensions have strengthened demand for the US Dollar, limiting support for the Canadian Dollar.

US Economic Data: Upcoming US economic releases remain important in shaping broader Dollar sentiment.

FOMC Outcome: Expectations for further Federal Reserve tightening continue favoring the Greenback.

Trade Policy: Stable North American trade conditions continue supporting Canada’s export sector.

Monetary Policy: Policy divergence between the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Canada remains supportive of USD/CAD.

Technical Outlook

Trend: USD/CAD remains in a short-term bullish trend.

Resistance: Recent highs continue representing the nearest resistance level.

Support: Current consolidation levels provide immediate technical support.

Forecast: The Canadian Dollar may remain under pressure while geopolitical uncertainty continues supporting the US Dollar.

Sentiment and Catalysts

Market Sentiment: Market sentiment remains cautiously bearish toward the Canadian Dollar as investors continue favoring the Greenback.

Catalysts: Crude oil prices, Bank of Canada commentary, US economic data, Federal Reserve guidance, and geopolitical developments will likely determine the next move.

Swiss Franc Forecast (USD/CHF)

Current Price and Context

The Swiss Franc weakened as renewed safe-haven demand favored the US Dollar over other defensive currencies. Investors continued increasing exposure to the Greenback as geopolitical uncertainty intensified, limiting demand for the Franc.

Key Drivers

Geopolitical Risks: Escalating Middle East tensions have increased global market uncertainty, strengthening demand for the US Dollar.

US Economic Data: Investors remain focused on upcoming US economic indicators for additional monetary policy guidance.

FOMC Outcome: Expectations for higher US interest rates continue supporting the Dollar against the Swiss Franc.

Trade Policy: Stable European trade conditions remain secondary to geopolitical and monetary policy developments.

Monetary Policy: Diverging interest rate expectations continue favoring the US Dollar over the Swiss Franc.

Technical Outlook

Trend: USD/CHF remains in a short-term bullish trend.

Resistance: Recent highs continue serving as the nearest resistance level.

Support: Current consolidation levels continue providing immediate technical support.

Forecast: The Swiss Franc may remain under pressure if geopolitical risks persist and the US Dollar continues attracting safe-haven demand.

Sentiment and Catalysts

Market Sentiment: Market sentiment remains cautiously bearish toward the Swiss Franc as investors favor the US Dollar during periods of uncertainty.

Catalysts: US inflation data, Swiss National Bank commentary, Federal Reserve communication, Treasury yields, and Middle East developments will likely determine the next move.

Wrap-Up

Renewed tensions in the Middle East dominated market sentiment, driving investors toward the US Dollar and lifting crude oil prices on heightened supply concerns. While the stronger Greenback pressured gold and weighed on both the Canadian Dollar and Swiss Franc, expectations for further Federal Reserve tightening reinforced the Dollar’s bullish momentum. As geopolitical uncertainty continues influencing global markets, investors will closely monitor developments in the Middle East alongside upcoming US economic data and central bank communication for the next major market catalyst.

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