Brent Heads for Record Monthly Leap as Houthi Attacks Widen Gulf Conflict

By Stephanie Kelly

LONDON, March 30 (Reuters) – Oil prices extended gains on Monday, with Brent heading for a record monthly rise, after Yemeni Houthis widened the Iran war by launching their first attacks on Israel.

Brent crude futures LCOc1 jumped $2.26, or 2%, to $114.83 a barrel by 1320 GMT after settling 4.2% higher on Friday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate CLc1 was up $1.49, or 1.5%, at $101.13 after a 5.5% gain in the previous session.

Brent has soared by about 58% this month, the steepest monthly jump in LSEG data going back to 1988, exceeding gains