Iran-US Tensions Spark Fresh Oil Price Surge
Renewed fighting between the US and Iran has pushed oil prices up by about $1 on September 1, sparking concerns over potential disruptions to crude supplies from the Middle East. The region is the world's most important oil-producing area.
Brent crude futures rose $1.05 (1.2%) to $91.54 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained $1.27 (1.5%) to $87.03 by 0455 GMT, according to data from Reuters.
US President Donald Trump's threat of further strikes against Iran on Monday added fresh uncertainty for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway that carried about one-fifth of global oil supplies before the war erupted in late February.
The number of visible commodity vessels transiting the waterway stood at five per day on Monday, significantly below pre-conflict levels. Diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait have so far failed.