Brent futures rose $1.21, or 2%, to $61.17 per barrel
Oil prices gain 2% as market focuses on Venezuela and supply worries in Russia, Iraq and Iran
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Oil prices rose about 2% on Thursday after two days of declines as investors assessed developments in Venezuela and on worries about supplies from Russia, Iraq and Iran.
Brent futures rose $1.21, or 2%, to $61.17 per barrel at 11:17 a.m. EST (1617 GMT), while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained $1.02, or 1.8%, to $57.01.
The U.S. seized two Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, one sailing under Russia's flag, as part of U.S. President Donald Trump's aggressive push to dictate oil flows in the Americas and force Venezuela's socialist government to become an ally.
After capturing Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro in a Saturday military raid on Caracas, the U.S. is escalating its blockade of vessels that are under sanctions and going to and from the South American country, a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries oil producers group.
