Crude oil prices started 2018 with a lack of direction as unrest in Iran, one of OPEC’s top producers, balanced against concerns for the world’s top economies. Iranian protests over the cost of living erupted late last week, but by the weekend had taken on a political tone. Iranian broadcaster Press TV reported that “more than a dozen people” have been killed across the country as of Tuesday. Iran is one of the larger producers in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, and extended unrest would add a risk premium to the price of oil. With 157 billion barrels in estimated reserves, Iran ranks third among OPEC members, behind Venezuela and Saudi Arabia, respectively. Geopolitical unrest could be […]