US-Iran war, March 18 -- Crude oil prices declined on Wednesday, March 18, after reports indicated a rise in US crude inventories in the American Petroleum Institute.

Brent futures lost $2.31, or 2.24%, to $101.15 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude fell $3.20, or 3.21%, to $92.46.

Back home, crude oil prices on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) also followed a similar pattern, shedding 2.62% to Rs.8,604 per barrel.

Crude oil prices have skyrocketed over 40% since the beginning of the US-Iran war, which has disrupted energy supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz and sharply affected global energy markets, especially in Asia.

Before the war, crude oil in international markets was trading at around $73 per barrel on Fe...