Oil prices rose more than 6%, with Brent crude closing above $100 a barrel again.

September's contract WTI crude oil negotiated in New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex) closed this Thursday (23) with a significant increase of 6.17%, quoted at US$ 92.19/barrel. The expiry of the same month for the Brent advanced 7.04% in Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), trading at US$100.69/barrel. 

In this trading session, fuel prices continued to be driven by the market's reaction to the recent escalation of tensions between the Houthi paramilitary group in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, which is causing concern in the market regarding the safety of vessels using the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, the alternative route in the Red Sea used to transport oil produced in the Persian Gulf.

On the Persian side, the United States announced it is sending more troops, weapons, and medical teams to expand military options in the region. The country's president, Donald Trump, stated that he is "seriously" considering resuming a large-scale war against Iran.

The president also threatened to punish the Houthis if the group continues attacking trade routes, adding that the organization's actions are the responsibility of the Iranian government. 

This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.