Washington, July 23 (SANA) Oil prices climbed more than 1.5% on Thursday to their highest levels in more than six weeks, following an escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions and attacks on two oil tankers in the Red Sea.
According to Reuters, Brent crude futures rose $1.93, or 2%, to $96.00 a barrel, their highest level since June 8, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained $1.44, or 1.7%, to $88.27 a barrel.
Prices were also supported by expectations of a decline in U.S. crude inventories, with analysts surveyed by Reuters forecasting a draw of about 1.1 million barrels.
The gains also followed a new round of U.S. military strikes on Iran announced earlier Thursday. Yemen’s Houthi militia also said it had targeted two oil tankers in the Red Sea, adding to regional tensions.
F.J./ABD
