Oil Price Today (July 9): Crude oil nears $80, up for 3rd day as US launches fresh strikes on Iran. Hormuz supply in jeopardy?

Brent crude futures gained 78 cents, or 1%, to $78.8 a barrel while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 74 cents, or 1.01%, to $74.26 a barrel. On Wednesday, the two benchmarks had settled at their highest levels in more than two weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump warned of additional strikes on Iran as early as Wednesday night.