Oil prices climbed after two vessels were struck in the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian officials told Reuters they were deploying new tactics to target ships, as Tehran seeks to keep oil prices high and influence the US midterm elections.
Brent crude futures rose 34 cents, or 0.3 per cent, to $106.03 a barrel by 0630 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 28 cents, or 0.3pc, to $94.42 a barrel.
Both contracts had climbed more than $1 in early trade.
