Oil Prices Hit Four-Year High After U.S. Blocks Iranian Ports

com and CBS News. U.S. benchmark crude rose to $108.28 per barrel. com and Politico. Iran has imposed restrictions on commercial ships in response. Prior to the war's start in late February, Brent crude traded around $70 per barrel.

" According to Axios, as cited in CBS News, Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, is scheduled to brief Trump on Thursday about potential "short and powerful" strikes aimed at pressuring Iran on its nuclear program and peace talks. The U.S. and Iran have observed a ceasefire since April 8, but indirect peace talks continue.

"The blockade is genius, OK? com. com.

Regular gasoline prices averaged $4.30 per gallon Thursday, up from $4.03 a week earlier, according to AAA data cited in Politico. In Los Angeles, prices exceeded $8 per gallon at some stations. com. The White House met with Chevron and oil traders amid the Iran standoff, with gasoline prices at four-year highs due to shrinking supplies, per Politico.

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com. Israel has conducted airstrikes and a ground invasion in response to Hezbollah attacks following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. At least 40 people have been killed in Israel from these attacks. Israel warned residents of 15 southern Lebanese villages to evacuate Thursday ahead of new strikes on Hezbollah.

Both sides have accused each other of violating a mid-April ceasefire. Israeli forces plan to maintain a buffer zone in southern Lebanon indefinitely.

Israeli forces intercepted 22 vessels from a pro-Palestinian flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza off the Greek coast, detaining 175 activists, according to NYPost.com. The Global Sumud Flotilla described the action as piracy, while Israel's foreign ministry called it a PR stunt. A previous flotilla was stopped last October, with over 470 arrests.