Brent crude reached $91.28 and WTI $85.31 in early Wednesday trade, extending gains after a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Iran expired on Monday. Conflicting statements emerged over the status of the Strait of Hormuz, with no fresh strikes reported on Tuesday. Iraq approved new three-month crude export mechanisms while two Chinese shipping firms halted tanker transits through Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb.