Brent oil price jumps above $70 as Iran strike fears flare; traders eye OPEC+ and U.S. stocks
Brent crude futures surged above $70 a barrel for the first time in four months on Thursday, driven by Middle East tensions and supply disruptions in Kazakhstan and the U.S. Brent touched $70.35 before easing to $69.79 by 1011 GMT. Traders cited fears of a U.S. strike on Iran and possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz. OPEC+ meets Feb. 1, with U.S. inventory data due Feb. 4.