India, Oct. 23 -- Oil prices climbed to their highest level in more than five months on Friday as growing fears of a fresh escalation in the Middle East conflict raised concerns about global energy supplies.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 1% to $114.72 a barrel, its highest level since May. The latest increase came after Iran warned that it could target oil facilities, undersea cables, data centres and artificial intelligence infrastructure across the Gulf if the United States and Israel launched another attack.

The warning has added to market uncertainty as traders assess the possibility of further disruption to energy production and shipping routes in the region.

Why are oil prices rising?

Reports that the US could c...