Oil Jumps on Fears Iran Could Be Attacked

Crude futures were gaining ground Tuesday, buoyed by persistent weakness in the dollar and heightened tension between Israel and Iran that some Pentagon officials believe is careening toward a military conflict.

West Texas crude for August delivery was recently trading $2.66 higher at $142.66 a barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange, and Brent crude was gaining $2.51 at $142.34 a barrel.

Reformulated gasoline is up 5 cents at $3.55 a gallon, heating oil is trading 8 cents higher at $3.98 a gallon, and near-term natural gas is up 17 cents at $13.52 per million British thermal units. ...