Global oil prices have climbed to their highest level in more than six weeks as growing Middle East tensions raised fresh concerns over global energy supplies.

Brent crude futures rose by nearly 2 percent to $95.50 per barrel, up from the previous close of $94.07. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude increased by around 1.7 percent to $88.70 per barrel, reflecting growing uncertainty in the oil market.

The latest surge followed reports of new US military actions involving Iran and claims by Yemen's Houthi group that it had targeted oil tankers in the Red Sea. These developments have increased fears that key global shipping routes could face further disruption.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said an oil tanker caught fire after an explosion in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz, while two other tankers reportedly turned back. Iranian officials also claimed the strategic waterway remains under their control and warned that oil tankers would not be allowed to pass without coordination with Tehran.

The Houthi group also announced plans to target Saudi-linked oil tankers passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait. It claimed to have attacked two Saudi oil tankers, while maritime security sources reported that the Saudi-flagged tanker Encelia came under attack in the Red Sea. The Houthis further claimed that around 10 cargo ships changed course following their warning, although this has not been independently verified.

Separately, the US Energy Information Administration reported that American crude oil inventories increased by about 2 million barrels last week, contrary to analysts' expectations of a 1.1 million-barrel decline. Analysts warn that prolonged tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab could keep oil prices under upward pressure.