TEHRAN: Global oil markets faced renewed uncertainty after crude prices climbed sharply amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and warnings from Iran that Israeli military actions in Lebanon could undermine a broader ceasefire arrangement.
During trading, Brent crude rose above $97 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) surpassed $94 per barrel, reflecting growing concerns over regional stability and potential disruptions to energy supplies.
The increase came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly ordered airstrikes on alleged Hezbollah positions in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut.
Iran condemned the strikes, describing them as a violation of the ceasefire framework that Tehran says applies across multiple regional fronts.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that a breach on any front would be considered a violation of the entire ceasefire arrangement.
“Any violation on one front will be regarded as a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts,” Araghchi said, adding that the United States and Israel would bear responsibility for the consequences of any such breach.
He further asserted that Lebanon was included in the ceasefire understanding involving Iran and the United States, and that military strikes on Beirut should therefore be viewed as a violation of the agreement.
The remarks underscore growing disagreements over the scope and interpretation of the reported ceasefire arrangement, as concerns mount over the possibility of a wider regional conflict.