New York, Sept. 09 (SANA)Crude oil stocks inthe U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reservefell by about 1.2 million barrels last week to 285.4 million barrels, reaching their lowest level since November 1982, according to data from the U.S. Department of Energy.According to Reuters, the latest decline comes as part of a U.S. plan to release 172 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in coordination with member states ofthe International Energy Agency (IEA).The coordinated release is aimed at addressing the repercussions of the war in the Middle East and supporting oil supplies amid concerns over potential disruptions to global energy markets.The U.S. government recorded net withdrawals of 19.2 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in August as part of the release plan.The latest drawdown brings the reserve’s stocks to levels not seen in more than four decades, reflecting the continued depletion of the emergency oil stockpile amid heightened concerns over energy supplies.Meanwhile, oil prices rose sharply as tensions between the United States and Iran escalated, increasing fears that oil supplies from the Middle East could be disrupted.West Texas Intermediate (WTI) cruderose 1.75% to $94.66 per barrel, while Brent crude increased 1.55% to $99.44 per barrel.The rise in oil prices came amid renewed military tensions betweenWashington and Tehran. The U.S. military destroyed five Iranian crude oil tankers following attempted attacks on a U.S. warship, with no American personnel injured.The developments have raised concerns over the security of oil shipments from the Gulf and the potential impact of any prolonged disruption on global crude supplies.Goldman Sachswarned that Brent crude could potentially exceed $120 per barrel if attacks on oil shipping continue to intensify.The investment bank’s main expectation is that Gulf oil exports will eventually recover through alternative shipping routes and pipelines. However, it said that recent attacks have made a more severe disruption to oil supplies increasingly likely.The conflict betweenthe United States and Iranhad remained relatively quiet for about a month but has recently intensified again, raising concerns over global oil supplies and the prospect of higher energy prices.