Washington, July 23 (SANA)Oil prices climbed more than 1.5% on Thursday to their highest levels in more than six weeks, following an escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions and attacks on two oil tankers in the Red Sea.

According to Reuters, Brent crude futures rose $1.93, or 2%, to $96.00 a barrel, their highest level since June 8, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained $1.44, or 1.7%, to $88.27 a barrel.

Prices were also supported by expectations of a decline in U.S. crude inventories, with analysts surveyed by Reuters forecasting a draw of about 1.1 million barrels.

The gains also followed a new round of U.S. military strikes on Iran announced earlier Thursday. Yemen’s Houthi militia also said it had targeted two oil tankers in the Red Sea, adding to regional tensions.F.J./ABD