Global oil prices soared on Monday after attacks on ships near the Strait of Hormuz heightened fears of a prolonged closure of the chokepoint that carries roughly a fifth of global seaborne oil.
Brent crude rose 4.5 per cent to $76.07 (£60) a barrel in early trade, after briefly topping $82 (£65), while US crude climbed 3.9 per cent. Airline shares across Asia also fell sharply, and investors moved into the dollar and gold as fighting between the United States, Israel and Iran intensified.
