HOUSTON: The Brent and US West Texas Intermediate crude oil benchmarks rose more than US$1 a barrel during trade on Friday as markets watched for signs of any direct conflict between Israel and Iran that could further tighten supplies.

       Brent crude settled at US$91.17 a barrel, up 52 cents, or 0.57%. US West Texas Intermediate crude finished at US$86.91 a barrel, up 32 cents, or 0.37%.