Oil prices rose during Asian trading on Thursday, continuing the sharp rise of the previous session. The escalation of tensions in the Middle East following the assassination of the Hamas leader in Iran has increased fears of a possible large-scale war in the region. The oil market is reacting to an increase in risk premiums related to fears of revenge by Hamas for the assassination of the organization's leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday. Although Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack, many believe Jerusalem is behind the attack. The rising tensions have raised fears that a full-scale war in the Middle East could disrupt oil supplies from the region, which in turn could affect global markets. Traders' attention is also focused on today's OPEC+ meeting, where information about oil production plans may be disclosed. According to media reports, no changes in the cartel's production volumes are expected, despite the recent decline in oil prices to almost two-month lows. Nevertheless, leading producers such as Saudi Arabia and Russia are likely to remain cautious about further production cuts. The current price of Brent oil is $81.60 per barrel. North American WTI oil is trading near $78.60. Oil quotes also received support after the publication of data on a significant decrease in oil reserves in the United States for the fifth week in a row, due to high demand for fuel during the summer period of active travel.
