U.S. crude oil prices on Thursday broke above $79 per barrel after Iran claimed to have attacked a tanker.
The price of West Texas Intermediate oil was last up 6.86%, or $5.12, at $79.78 per barrel, while global benchmark Brent rose 4.31%, or $3.51, to $84.91 per barrel at 11:30 a.m. ET. Oil prices have surged more than 17% this week.