Brent holds above $100 as tanker attacks deepen supply fear

Oil prices held firm on Thursday after Brent crude breached $100 a barrel, with traders ​bracing for deeper supply disruptions as Iran and the United States ‌launched their largest attacks on shipping since their six-month-old conflict began.

In the physical crude oil market, the dated Brent oil benchmark, against which roughly two-thirds of supply is priced, has been above $100 per barrel since September 3, according to LSEG data.

Pressure is mounting on alternative channels for Gulf oil exports, with Iran-aligned Houthi militants stepping up strikes against Saudi Arabia, threatening crude shipments via ​the Red Sea.