Pakistan, Sept. 8 -- Oil prices rose to a six-week high on Monday as Iran vowed to strike energy infrastructure across the Middle East in response to further US attacks on its assets, the latest escalation in a conflict that has sharply reduced oil supply from the region.

Brent crude futures rose 85 cents, or 0.9%, to $97.13 a barrel by 12:38 pm EDT (1638 GMT), after hitting their highest point since July 24 at $98.06.

"Commercial tankers are now being deliberately used as instruments of reciprocal economic pressure, substantially weakening the previous distinction between military confrontation and commercial shipping," maritime intelligence firm Marisks said.

In Pakistan, the federal govt Monday increased the prices of petrol and hig...