Canada Commodities: Oil Prices Slightly Lower as Fighting Continues in the Middle East

09:53 AM EDT, 10/21/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Oil prices were slightly lower Wednesday morning even as more oil tankers were struck in the Persian Gulf and fighting continued unabated. The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported two fresh attacks against oil tankers on Oct. 20: one southeast of Iraq and another west of Bukha, Oman. No casualties were reported. Meanwhile French president Emmanuel Macron is in Riyadh on a surprise visit. The visit comes after the Saudi kingdom has endured weeks of attacks from the Iran-backed Houthi militia. The United Kingdom on Tuesday said it would provide military support to Saudi Arabia, "given escalating Houthi attacks in the region", a government statement said. West Texas Intermediate December crude oil futures, the US benchmark, fell 0.6% to $97.26 per barrel. December Brent oil futures, the international benchmark, edged down 0.5% to $108.23 a barrel. Comex gold December futures climbed 0.2%, to to $4,152.10 per ounce. In agricultural commodities, December wheat futures were 2.7% lower, to $6.26 per bushel, while canola futures for January fell 1% to CA$785.70 per tonne.