Oil prices fell on Wednesday, after a gain of 4% in the previous session, as markets weighed up the chance of supply disruptions from the Iran-Israel conflict and as they ponder a direct US involvement.
Brent crude futures fell 93 cents, or 1.2%, to $75.52 a barrel by 0918 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 88 cents, also 1.2%, to $73.96 per barrel.
U.S. President Trump warned on social media on Tuesday that U.S. patience was wearing thin, and called for an "unconditional surrender" from Iran.
While he said there was no intention to kill Iran's leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "for now," his comments suggested a tougher stance toward Iran as he weighs whether to deepen U.S. involvement.
A source familiar with internal discussions said one of the options Trump and his team are considering included joining Israel on strikes against Iranian nuclear sites.
A direct U.S. involvement threatens to widen the confrontation further, putting energy infrastructure in the region at higher risk of attack, analysts say.
"The biggest fear for the oil market is the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz," ING analysts said in a note.
"Almost a third of global seaborne oil trade moves through this chokepoint. A significant disruption to these flows would be enough to push prices to $120 [a barrel]," the bank added.
Source : Reuters
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