Oil prices rose for a second consecutive session on Tuesday, with Brent crude futures gaining 63 cents, or 0.6%, to $105.91 a barrel by 00:02 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 72 cents, or 0.8%, to $93.32.
The gains came as persistent concerns about supply disruptions from the Middle East, caused by the conflict between the United States and Iran, outweighed signs of a recovery in crude exports from the region.
Recovery in Middle East exports
Preliminary figures released by data provider Kpler on Monday showed that crude oil exports from major Middle East producers recovered in September to 12.8 million barrels per day, the highest level since February, supported by increased shipments from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
A clearer picture is emerging of increased oil export volumes leaving the Gulf region, but much of the increase still relies on alternative solutions such as ship-to-ship transfers. These methods are less efficient and more expensive than normal operations, which is why crude prices remain elevated
Efforts to end the war
Officials from the United States and Iran said representatives of the two countries had held separate talks with mediators as part of new efforts to end the war that began seven months ago.
Any forthcoming talks are widely expected to focus on a modified version of a 7-day proposal put forward by Iran last week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
