Muscat: Oil prices extended their gains on Monday as escalating tit-for-tat attacks between the United States and Iran intensified fears of a prolonged disruption to crude supplies from the Middle East.

Brent crude futures rose 52 cents, or 0.54 percent, to $96.80 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 66 cents, or 0.72 percent, to $92.14 a barrel in early trading.

The latest rise follows a sharp rally last week, when Brent gained 7.8 percent and WTI advanced nearly 10 percent, as renewed attacks by the United States and Iran reduced oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

Tensions escalated further over the weekend after U.S. forces struck three Iranian oil tankers, while Iran responded with attacks on vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

Maritime information company Marisex said commercial tankers were increasingly being used as instruments of reciprocal economic pressure, blurring the traditional line between military confrontation and commercial shipping.

The developments have raised fears that supply disruptions could persist, keeping upward pressure on oil prices and adding to concerns over the wider economic impact of the conflict.

Meanwhile, OPEC+ decided to keep its oil production policy unchanged for October at a meeting held on Sunday. Seven participating countries, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman, agreed to maintain September production levels into October.

The producer alliance is also preparing to agree on new production quotas before determining its next steps on output. The group is expected to continue reviewing market conditions, with its next meeting scheduled for October 4, 2026.