Oil prices rose by 2 per cent as United States officials warned Iran of an escalation

Oil prices rose by about 2 per cent at the start of the new trade week, an increase that was closely related to the latest developments in the United States-Iran conflict, rather than any substantial change in supply and demand. This is due to the admission by an unnamed United States official that Washington was planning to expand the war, while the Pentagon was increasing the number of military aircraft in the area, which indicated the possibility of longer and broader military operations. According to the United States Central Command, a soldier was killed on Saturday during a controlled detonation in Iraq. At the same time, unidentified remains were found at the Jordanian base on Friday, further exacerbating the number of casualties that had already resulted from the killing and disappearance of two United States military personnel. Since the resumption of fighting a week ago, at least three have died, possibly four United States military personnel。