Oil prices extended gains to a three-week high on Friday as escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran added to a rally of nearly 10% in U.S. crude.
New York-traded West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 45 cents, or 0.8%, at $57.52 a barrel by 7:56 AM ET (11:56 GMT), while Brent crude futures, the benchmark for oil prices outside the U.S. gained 84 cents, or 1.3%, to $65.29.
WTI oil was on track for weekly gains of 9.5%, while Brent was up 5.3% from a week ago.
U.S. President Donald Trump had authorized military strikes against Iran in response to the strike against a U.S. surveillance drone late Thursday, but called off the attack at the last minute, according to a New York Times report.
The report is the latest development in escalating tension between Washington and Tehran in the Gulf region where six oil tankers have been damaged by explosions in the past six weeks.
Source : Investing.com