US-Iran war, July 16 -- Oil prices extended their gains for a fourth consecutive session on Thursday after fresh US strikes on Iranian military sites heightened concerns over a broader regional conflict and potential disruptions to oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude futures rose 33 cents, or 0.4%, to $85.28 per barrel, following a 12% surge over the previous three sessions. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained 42 cents, or 0.5%, to $80.02 per barrel.

Both benchmark crude contracts had advanced around 0.3% on Wednesday and were trading close to the one-month highs reached earlier in the week.

The United States carried out fresh airstrikes on Iran on Wednesday and said it intercepted an emp...