U.S. crude oil on Friday traded near a two-month high and is on pace for a third-straight weekly gain as fears of war between Israel and the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah grow.
West Texas Intermediate hit an intraday high of $82.72 per barrel, the highest level for the U.S. benchmark since April 30.
U.S. oil is up about 1.8% for the week and 6.7% for the month of June.
Hezbollah could target Israel's offshore gas operations if war breaks out, and Israel could seek to hit Iranian oil facilities, according to RBC Capital Markets.
There is also a risk that Iran could attack tankers in the straight of Hormuz or abandon a détente with Saudi Arabia and hit the kingdom's oil facilities, according to the firm.
Persons:
Brent, stoking, Saudi détente, Helima
Organizations:
Hezbollah, Texas Intermediate, RBC Capital Markets, Pentagon, NBC News, The State Department, U.S, RBC
Locations:
Khiam, Lebanon, Israel, Gaza, Iran, U.S, Hormuz, Saudi Arabia, Saudi