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Oil rates increase as Israel weighs action to Iran attack

Oil prices increased on Tuesday amid increased tensions in the Middle East after Israel's military chief stated his country would respond to Iran's weekend rocket and drone attack amid require restraint by allies.

Brent futures for June delivery rose 46 cents, or 0.5%, to $90.56 a barrel by 0005 GMT. U.S. crude futures for May delivery increased 43 cents, or 0.5%, to $85.84 a barrel.

Oil prices had ended Monday's session lower after Iran's. weekend attack on Israel showed to be less destructive than. expected, initially alleviating concerns of a rapidly heightening. conflict that might displace unrefined barrels.

The attack, which Iran called retaliation for an air strike. on its Damascus consulate, triggered just modest damage, with. missiles shot down by Israel's Iron Dome defence system.

However Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. summoned his war cabinet for the 2nd time in less than 24. hours to weigh how to respond to Iran's first-ever direct attack. on Israel, a federal government source stated. That raised market concerns. that vindictive procedures could affect oil supply.

Iran produces more than 3 million barrels daily of crude. oil as a significant manufacturer within the Company of the Petroleum. Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The standards had actually risen on Friday in anticipation of Iran's. retaliatory assault, with rates soaring to their highest since. October.

In China, the world's greatest oil importer, official. gdp figures due on Tuesday are expected to. program growth slowed to 4.6% year-on-year from 5.2% in the. previous three months. That would keep pressure on. policymakers to unveil more financial stimulus procedures that. might improve oil rates.

(source: Reuters)