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Oil prices jumped about 3% on Monday, with Brent oil prices surpassing $90 per barrel, as escalating US-Iran hostilities in the Middle East restricted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude futures climbed $2.77, or 3.14%, to $90.87 by 0612 GMT, touching the highest since June 11, extending gains after rising 15.9% last week, its biggest weekly gain since April.
US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $84.84 a barrel, up $2.35, or 2.85%, the loftiest since June 12. Front-month prices gained 15.5% last week, the largest weekly ascent since early March.
The Middle East conflict escalated over the weekend with the U.S. conducting a ninth straight night of attacks against Iran, while US allies Kuwait and Bahrain reported more Iranian strikes.
“ICE Brent broke above $90 per barrel this morning with no let-up in the escalation in the Gulf,” said ING analysts in a note on Monday.
“The US and Iran continue to exchange strikes, which are proving to be deadly for both sides. If this escalation goes unchecked, we could return to an environment of wide-scale attacks across the Gulf.”
Reuters
