Why are US oil shale executives criticizing the Trump administration's communications about the Iran conflict?

US oil shale executives are criticizing the Trump administration's communications because they describe them as 'erratic' and 'inconsistent,' creating confusion in energy markets and making business planning 'near impossible'; respondents specifically cite 'diplomacy-by-social-media,' 'whiplash' from unpredictable tweets, and the White House's tendency to 'jawbone the price down' without credible assurances—such as about the Strait of Hormuz reopening—which exacerbates medium-term supply uncertainty and undermines market stability.

What do the surveyed oil executives predict for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil prices by year-end, and how do they characterize their confidence in those forecasts?

Survey respondents on average expect WTI to reach $81 per barrel by year-end, with individual predictions ranging widely from $60 to $150; however, they uniformly express extreme uncertainty—describing price forecasts as 'anyone’s guess,' stating it is 'hard to predict the price of crude oil with any amount of certainty' under current conditions, and emphasizing that volatility will persist even after a ceasefire and increased flows through the Strait of Hormuz, with one executive noting 'higher prices for both crude oil and natural gas for several months even with a ceasefire agreement.'

Oil Executives Warn Trump's Iran Posts Create Energy Market Chaos

Jun 24, 2026

US oil executives criticize inconsistent White House communications on the Iran conflict, citing severe market volatility and planning challenges. Despite recent price dips, industry surveys predict continued uncertainty with an average year-end WTI forecast of $81 per barrel.

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