
Oil prices have risen further as the Middle East war extended into a fourth day, sending stock markets tumbling across the UK and Europe on fears of a prolonged conflict.
Brent crude rose by another 4% on Tuesday to stand at a one-year high of nearly 81 US dollars a barrel, after Iran took action to block a crucial shipping route for crude tankers, while London’s FTSE 100 Index fell sharply lower, down more than 2% in early trading.