Crude oil futures climbed to $89.5 per barrel on Tuesday, their highest level in more than one month, as additional strikes in the Middle East extended the suspension of exports from the region. The United States launched a new wave of attacks against Iran after the two countries exchanged strikes earlier in the week, escalating the conflict despite an earlier U.S. signal that it would limit its response to economic measures against Tehran. Tanker flows were set to fall sharply. Reports that GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) nations had enabled barrel exports provided some relief for crude and refined-product prices, but major economies drew on inventories to contain higher import costs. The U.S. SPR (Strategic Petroleum Reserve) fell below 290 million barrels, its lowest level since 1982. China also significantly reduced crude imports, while refinery runs in the country were cut by 1.6 million barrels per day, indicating weaker crude consumption despite steady demand for refined products.