Oil is trading sharply higher this morning, with WTI approaching $85 a barrel.

At 8:40 am (Brasilia time) this Tuesday (21), the September contract of WTI crude oil recorded a strong increase of 1.32% in New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), quoted at US$ 83.57/barrel. The contract for the same month for the Brent It advanced 1.36% in Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), trading at US$ 90.39/barrel. 

In the last trading session (20), WTI rose 0.85%, to US$ 82.48/barrel, while Brent recorded a gain of 1.27%, to US$ 89.22/barrel. 

This morning, fuel prices were driven up by the market's reaction to the attacks exchanged between the United States and Iran overnight. 

A tanker ship that was transiting through Strait of Hormuz He reported that he was hit by an unknown projectile, forcing his crew to abandon ship in lifeboats, as described by UK Maritime Trade Operations Agency.

The market also fears the extension of the shipping blockade to other important energy export routes. Persian GulfThe day before, the paramilitary group Houthiof Yemen, announced a naval blockade against the Saudi ArabiaThis is raising concerns about attacks in the Red Sea region, an alternative route used by producers to reach global markets. 

Limiting further gains, a senior Iranian administration official informed Reuters that the Persian country's government received a proposal from mediators for a 10-day ceasefire. There is still no confirmation of the move and no official response from Tehran on the matter. 

This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.