India, June 1 -- The Indian rupee weakened by 9 paise to 94.94 against the US dollar in early trading on Monday as rising crude oil prices and escalating tensions in the Middle East weighed on investor sentiment.

According to forex traders, the currency came under pressure after crude oil prices surged close to USD 93 per barrel following an escalation in the Israel-Lebanon conflict. Concerns over potential disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty boosted demand for the US dollar as a safe-haven asset.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 94.93 against the greenback before slipping to 94.94. The currency had closed at 94.85 on Friday after gaining 73 paise, aided by suspected ...