Oil prices touch six week high as Strait of Hormuz is 'completely closed'

Crude oil prices jumped to six week high on Thursday, with Brent rising above the $96-a-barrel mark and US benchmark WTI climbing past $88, as the Middle East conflict showed no signs of easing. Brent crude gained $1.93, or 2.05%, to trade at $96 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) advanced $1.41, or 1.62%, to $88.24.