Oil Prices Soar After Israel Strikes Iran. Exxon and Chevron Stocks Jump.
Oil prices were surging Friday after Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran’s nuclear sites and other targets, escalating tensions in the Middle East. Brent crude jumped 7% to $74.22 a barrel, and West Texas Intermediate crude, the U.S. benchmark, rose 7.3% to $72.98 a barrel. The head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Hossein Salami was killed, according to Iranian media, while dozens of targets were hit overnight.