crude inventories

Oil prices surge nearly 4% on West Asia tensions and lower US crude inventories

Oil prices surged nearly 4% on Wednesday after joint US-Saudi strikes in Iraq and interception of Iranian missiles, while US crude inventories fell by 3.3 million barrels. Brent rose to $87.39 and WTI to $82.31, with OPEC+ reportedly set to halt output increases. The geopolitical escalation dampens expectations for de-escalation in the Persian Gulf.