Oil prices climbed above $100 a barrel as the US Navy prepared to block ships to and from Iran via the Strait of Hormuz, a move that could restrict Iranian oil exports, after Washington and Tehran failed to reach a deal to end the war.

Brent crude futures rose $6.96, or 7.3pc, to $102.16 a barrel by 0430 GMT after settling 0.75pc lower on Friday.

US West Texas Intermediate was up $8.12, or 8.4pc, at $104.69 a barrel following a 1.33pc loss in the previous session.

“The market is now largely back to conditions before the ceasefire, except now the US will block the remaining up to 2 million barrels per day Iranian-linked flows through the Strait of Hormuz as well,” said Saul Kavonic, head of energy research at MST Marquee.

Opinion

Trouble at home

Trouble at home

The country’s strength lies in its political and economic stability, not in fleeting moments of diplomatic success.

Editorial

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