Brent and WTI were on course for weekly gains of 3.4% and 4% after Washington raised the prospect of an indefinite blockade of Iran, although weaker demand forecasts and a record-sized U.S. inventory build limited the signal.
Most Gulf benchmarks closed lower as diplomatic expectations weakened, although Oman and selected shipping stocks resisted the regional decline and exposed sharp differences beneath the risk-off move.
The S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.5% to 9,019.30 as banks, healthcare and gold stocks advanced on hopes for progress around the Strait of Hormuz, while energy shares fell with oil prices.
