The price of crude oil rose sharply on Friday as investors assessed growing tensions between the United States and Iran, following Tehran's warning that it would target regional infrastructure if President Donald Trump follows through on threats to attack Iranian facilities. The Brent crude contract for September advanced nearly 2%, approaching the $90 mark, while Chile's benchmark crude surpassed $86. In New York, WTI futures for August gained 2.6% to $80.99, marking their highest level since June 15. Both contracts saw a weekly increase of over 11%, heading toward their best performance since late April. Analysts noted increased market sensitivity due to declining reserves in several countries and rising crude imports in Asia, reducing factors that had previously helped contain prices. They warned that the market has fewer tools to absorb new shocks, leading to pressure on gasoline and European natural gas prices, which reached three-month highs.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of geopolitical tensions affecting oil prices, citing both U.S.-Iran tensions and technical market analysis. It does not take a clear ideological stance but reports on the implications of these developments for global energy markets. While the subject matter (





