US-Iran war, May 28 -- Oil prices climbed around 2% in early trade on Thursday after reports said the United States carried out fresh overnight strikes on an Iranian military facility, heightening geopolitical tensions despite ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending their three-month conflict.

Brent crude futures advanced $1.90, or 2.02%, to $96.19 per barrel, while the more actively traded August contract rose $1.64, or 1.78%, to $93.89 per barrel. The July contract is scheduled to expire on Friday. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained $1.73, or 1.95%, to trade at $90.41 per barrel.

In the previous session, both crude benchmarks had fallen more than 5%, hitting their lowest levels in a m...