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Oil increases on threat of expanding Middle East dispute

Oil costs increased in early Asian trading on Thursday, extending strong gains in the previous session after the killing of a Hamas leader in Iran raised the risk of a wider Middle East dispute and on indications of strong oil demand in the U.S.

Global criteria Brent crude futures rose 67 cents, or 0.8%, to $81.51 per barrel by 0007 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures increased 69 cents, or 0.9%, to $78.60 per barrel.

The most active contracts on both criteria jumped about 4%. in the previous session.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in the Iranian. capital Tehran on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after. Lebanon-based Hezbollah's the majority of senior military commander was. eliminated in an Israeli strike in the capital, Beirut.

The killings sustained concern that the 10-month-old war in. Gaza between Israel and Hamas was developing into a larger Middle. East war, which could possibly result in disturbances in oil. supply from the area.

We fear the area is at the verge of full-blown war, Japan's. deputy United Nations representative Shino Mitsuko said on. Wednesday as the U.N. security council called for stepped-up. diplomatic efforts.

Likewise rising oil costs was a set of information releases from. the U.S., the world's leading oil customer, and a weaker dollar.

Robust export demand pressed U.S. petroleum stockpiles lower. by 3.4 million barrels in the week ended July 26 to 433 million. barrels, information from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. ( EIA) revealed on Wednesday.

U.S. oil stocks have actually decreased for 5 consecutive weeks,. the longest such streak given that January 2021.

U.S. oil demand was at a seasonal record in May as fuel. intake rose to its highest since before the pandemic, a. different information release from the EIA showed on Wednesday.

On the other hand, the U.S. dollar index extended losses on. Thursday from the previous session, after the Federal Reserve. held rates of interest constant but left the door open for a cut in. September. A weaker dollar can enhance oil demand from financiers. holding other currencies.

(source: Reuters)