Oil prices jump again as Brent breaks $70 on Iran strike fears
Brent crude topped $70 Thursday as fears of a potential U.S. strike on Iran and a U.S. winter storm disrupting output fueled a price surge. U.S. crude stocks fell by 2.3 million barrels last week, pushing inventories 3% below the five-year average. A U.S. carrier group moved closer to Iran, raising geopolitical risk. Both Brent and WTI are on track for their biggest monthly gains since July 2023.