Oil maintains gains after the Iranian oil tanker attack

Oil prices maintained gains as the US market opened on Friday, to continue rising for the third straight day to touch a 1-week high, after Iran announced that one of its oil tankers was struck by two missiles in the Red Sea near the coast of Saudi Arabia, which has renewed concerns once again about geopolitical tensions in the Gulf.

WTI gained more than 1.5% to $54.85 a barrel, from the opening of $53.87, with a session-low of $53.69.

Brent rose to $60.62 a barrel, from the opening of $59.54, with a low of $59.22.

WTI closed higher by 2.4% on Thursday, and Brent futures also rose by 2.2%, their second daily gain on hopes about the trade talks between the world's two largest economies.

Iranian officials said on Friday that an oil tanker was struck by two missiles in the Red Sea off the coast of Saudi Arabia,

The National Iranian Oil Company told "NBC news" that the two missiles attacks were at 5:00 and 5:20 am local time, and confirmed that the tanker was traveling through the Red Sea off the coast of Saudi Arabia.

The state-owned Iranian news agency "IRNA" reported that the oil tanker, Sabity, which is operated by the National Iranian Company, was struck by 2 missiles 60 miles from the city of Jeddah.

While the markets are concerned about the potential Iranian response which may escalate the tensions further, as it comes amid the rising tensions in the region, especially after sabotage attacks on two major Saudi production facilities on Sept.14 in Abqaiq and Khurais, which has led to a suspension of about 50% of Saudi production or more than 5% of global supply.

Oil prices prices also drew support from hopes about a potential trade deal between the US and China to end their ongoing trade war, especially after President Trump described the current round of the trade talks as "a very, very good negotiation with China".