[Brent Crude Approaches $102 as Iran States It's Ready for More Intense Conflict] According to Golden Finance, on September 10, as hostilities erupted in the Middle East, Iran declared it was prepared for more intense warfare, heightening market concerns over the possibility of severe disruptions to energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures approached $102 per barrel, marking the fifth consecutive day of gains. On Wednesday, it closed above triple digits for the first time since July last year. WTI crude futures hovered around $97 per barrel. A senior official from the Islamic Republic of Iran stated that in response to the U.S. naval blockade, Iran has no intention of backing down. If the U.S. continues to attack its territory, Iran will escalate the intensity of its strikes.