Oil Prices Rise as Middle East Tensions Intensify

Oil prices edged higher on Monday, driven by ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The increase comes as investors weigh the risk of supply disruptions from the region, which produces about a third of the world's crude. Benchmark Brent crude rose 0.5% to $82.15 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate gained 0.4% to $78.30. Analysts say the market remains sensitive to any escalation in the conflict, but no major supply outages have been reported so far.