Oil prices extended gains on Wednesday as escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran fueled concerns over further disruptions to Middle East energy supplies.

Brent crude futures climbed 52 cents, or 0.54%, to $96.80 a barrel by 2354 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $92.14 a barrel, up 66 cents, or 0.72%.

Tanker attacks in Strait of Hormuz spark fears of wider supply disruption

Renewed fighting stokes fears of deeper disruptions