Oil holds gain amid Middle East tensions, with US-Iran hostilities continuing. Brent above US$89; West Texas Intermediate near US$82 after a two-day rise over previous sessions. (July 21) : Oil held a two-day gain as the US and Iran continued hostilities in the Middle East, while Yemen's Houthi militants threatened to blockade Saudi Arabia's maritime traffic in the Red Sea. West Texas Intermediate's more-active September contract traded near US$82 a barrel after rising more than 5% over the previous two sessions. Oil prices have repeatedly swung on the prospects for escalation and détente in the conflict.