Gasoline Futures Jump on Middle East Escalation
US gasoline futures rose above $2.20 per gallon, briefly touching $2.30 for the first time since April 2, as escalating Middle East tensions fueled supply concerns. Israel launched strikes on Iran, targeting nuclear sites, ballistic missile facilities, and senior military commanders, calling the action the beginning of a sustained effort to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon. In response, Iran fired around 100 drones toward Israeli territory. The escalation comes just days before the sixth round of US-Iran nuclear talks, set for Sunday in Oman. Adding to price support, US crude inventories fell by 3.644 million barrels last week, exceeding market expectations of a 2.5 million-barrel draw, according to EIA data. Stockpiles at the Cushing hub also declined by 403,000 barrels. However, gasoline and distillate inventories rose more than expected, increasing by 1.504 million and 1.246 million barrels, respectively.