WASHNGTON, Aug 31 (Bernama-dpa-AFX) -- Oil prices rose sharply on Monday as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran fuelled renewed fears of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, reported dpa-AFX.
Brent crude futures jumped 3.5 per cent to US$91.21 a barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 3.4 per cent to US$86.28.
The price gains came amid a fresh fighting between Washington and Tehran, with Iran launching explosive drone attacks on US forces stationed in Jordan after US forces targeted two Iranian launchers on Larak Island.
The Iranian military said drones also targeted US helicopters and forces stationed at Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, a claim denied by the UAE.
Meanwhile, an oil tanker caught fire after striking two sea mines while attempting to take an "illegal" route through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB.
The IRGC called on vessels navigating the strategically important waterway to comply with procedures announced by Tehran.
The US Central Command, for its part, said Washington had "taken limited, precise action against IRGC minelaying forces posing an imminent threat in the Strait of Hormuz".
-- BERNAMA-dpa-AFX
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.
Follow us on social media :
Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio
Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial
