Brent oil prices rose 2% to more than $90 per barrel on Monday, as escalating United States (US) and Iran hostilities in the Middle East restricted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude futures climbed $2.09, or 2.37%, to $90.19, 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 $84.20 a barrel, up $1.71, or 2.07%, 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 US conducting a ninth straight night of attacks against Iran, while US allies Kuwait and Bahrain reported more Iranian strikes.
The US and Iran continue to exchange strikes, which are proving to be deadly for both sides.
–Reuters–
