Key facts
- Oil prices increased by more than 1% on Thursday.
- The rise in oil prices is attributed to escalating conflict in the Middle East.
- Iran has reportedly instructed Yemen's Houthis to prepare to close the Red Sea.
- A closure of the Red Sea oil route would significantly affect global energy supplies.
Oil prices experienced an increase of over 1% on Thursday, driven by heightened tensions in the Middle East and specific threats to the Red Sea oil route. Reports indicate that Iran has requested Yemen's Houthi group to prepare for the closure of this critical maritime passage. Such a development could have substantial repercussions for global energy supplies, given the Red Sea's significance in international oil transit.