Benchmark Brent crude oil futures have risen past $100 a barrel, breaching the symbolic barrier for the first time since July 24 as intensifying conflict in the Middle East fuelled growing concern about oil flows from the region, Reuters notes.
Brent crude futures rose $2.15, or 2.2pc, to $100.07 a barrel by 12:21pm PKT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was up $1.70, or 1.83pc, at $94.73 a barrel.
Brent crude prices have risen by a quarter since early last month as hopes fade for a permanent resolution to the six-month-old US-Iran conflict.
