Oil Surges on Middle East War
WTI crude futures jumped 8% to above $72 per barrel as trading resumed on Monday, climbing to their highest levels in eight months after unprecedented joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran sharply escalated tensions across the Middle East. Markets are closely monitoring the risk of further disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint that handles roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments and significant volumes of natural gas. Tehran insists the strait remains open, yet shipping companies quickly began rerouting vessels away from the narrow waterway.