Oil Rises To $113 Over Iran Tension

Oil rose to around 113 dollars a barrel on Tuesday as tension over Iran‘s nuclear programme outweighed persistent concerns about the strength of Europe’s economy.

Iran has begun enriching uranium deep inside a mountain and has sentenced an American to death for spying, angering the West and undermining expectations that diplomacy could avert further sanctions or even war.

Brent crude rose 65 cents to 113.10 dollars a barrel, following a decline of 61 cents on Monday. U.S. crude was up 1.33 to 102.64 dollars.

“On balance the bulls seem to be winning, despite the strong dollar, weak demand in the euro zone and a mild winter in the northern hemisphere,” said Christopher Bellew, a broker at Jefferies Bache.

The tension over Iran’s nuclear programme, which Tehran insists is for peaceful purposes, have included threats by Iran to shut the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important oil export route.

European Union states, which have already agreed in principle to an embargo on Iranian oil to ratchet up pressure on Tehran, are due to hold a meeting to decide on the measure on January 23, EU diplomats said on Monday.

Iran produces 3.5 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude, making it the second-largest producer in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries after Saudi Arabia.

The EU imports about 500,000 bpd from Iran.

“Despite demand conditions being relatively weak, oil prices are still above 100 dollars because of the geopolitical tensions.

There is a floor on prices at the moment,” said Natalie Robertson, an analyst at ANZ.

Supply risks were also in focus in Nigeria, where trade unions began a second day of strikes on Tuesday to protest the removal of fuel subsidies.

The strike has so far not affected shipments from Africa’s largest oil exporter.

Brent is trading close to its 200-day moving average at 112.70 dollars, which remains a key level of technical support, said Olivier Jakob of Petromatrix.

First resistance is at 114 dollars, where recent rallies have run out of steam.