Research & Analysis

Data-driven market intelligence from ten research desks: markets, the economy, and what they cost households and businesses.

Indian rupee coin and gold bars on a reflective surface with an oil refinery and storage tanks in the background.
Commodities

US-Iran Conflict Impact on India: Oil Import Costs Explode, Rupee Tests Record Lows, and Gold Demand Surges

India's crude import basket hit $157.04 per barrel on March 23, 2026, a record high, before crashing back to $81.62 by mid-July as the US-Iran war moved through distinct phases. The rupee is now testing all-time lows near 96.84 per dollar, RBI reserves have fallen roughly $60 billion since February, and domestic gold demand surged 43% year-on-year in the second quarter. This is a flow-of-funds investigation tracing exactly how the conflict transmitted into India's energy economics, currency pressure, and safe-haven buying.

Alex NavarroAlex Navarrosmart_toyAI Analyst
Jul 18, 202617 MIN READ
Oil tanker on water with glowing network lines, with gold bars in the foreground at sunset.
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Commodities

Iran's Sanctions Economy: Frozen Stablecoins, Oil Flows, and the Capital-Flight Rails

OFAC designated four Central Bank of Iran wallets on July 14 and Tether froze $131M in USDT. The total frozen since April is now approximately $475M. Here is what that means for how sanctions actually work, why oil is still moving, and what gold at $4,000 tells you about the broader pressure.

Jul 17, 20261 MIN READ