Oil prices surge as reports suggest potential US strikes on Iran before midterm elections

Oil prices soared more than five percent following reports that the United States might launch new attacks on Iran ahead of next month's midterm elections, risking further supply disruptions. International benchmark Brent North Sea crude rallied to $105.46 per barrel, and the main US contract, West Texas Intermediate, rose to $92.82 per barrel. The Atlantic reported that the White House had asked the Pentagon to prepare options for hitting sites in Iran before the November 3 vote.