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Oil heads for weekly gain as Middle East stress keep market on edge

Oil prices nudged higher on Friday and are on track for a weekly gain of more than 1%, as tensions in the world's top oilproducing area, the Middle East, and a reboot in Gaza ceasefire talks in the coming days kept traders on edge.

Brent unrefined futures climbed 18 cents, or 0.2%, to $ 74.56 a barrel by 0342 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $70.34 a barrel, up 15 cents, or 0.2%.

We remain of the view that the ideal rate for petroleum presently is around $70 where it is now, as we wait for fresh rate motorists, consisting of the result of China's NPC Standing Committee meeting along with Israel's response to Iran's October 1 missile attack, IG market expert Tony Sycamore stated in a note, referring to WTI prices.

Both criteria settled down 58 cents a barrel in the previous session after rates varied against expectations of heightened or lowered stress in the Middle East.

Oil traders are waiting on Israel's response to a rocket attack by Iran on Oct. 1 that may involve hitting Tehran's oil facilities and interfere with supplies, although reports stated Israel would strike Iranian military, not nuclear or oil, targets.

U.S. and Israeli officials are set to reboot talks for a. ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza in the coming. days. Previous attempts to reach an offer have failed.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Thursday that. the United States does not desire a drawn-out Israeli project in. Lebanon, while France has actually required a ceasefire and concentrate on. diplomacy.

Ceasefire talks have a small net unfavorable impact on oil. prices, Sycamore said, adding the focus is more on the dispute. in Lebanon and Israel's possible action to Iran.

Investors are also eyeing more clearness on Beijing's stimulus. policies, although experts do not anticipate such steps to. supply a significant boost to oil demand from China, the world's No. 2 consumer.

Goldman Sachs on Thursday left its oil, natural gas, and. coal price forecasts the same, estimating Chinese stimulus. boosts to energy rates that are modest relative to larger. drivers such as oil supply from the Middle East and winter season. weather for gas.

It forecasts Brent in the $70 to $85 range.

(source: Reuters)