LONDON – Global oil prices edged lower on Thursday after surrendering part of the previous session’s sharp gains, as crude shipments continued to leave the Middle East despite the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran. Preliminary shipping data showed that 39 commodity vessels passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait into the Red Sea on Tuesday, marking the highest daily traffic since July 19. However, only a limited number of tankers transited the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting continued disruptions along one of the world’s busiest energy corridors. Meanwhile, regional tensions intensified after US and Saudi forces reportedly carried out strikes against paramilitary targets in Iraq in response to drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities. Separately, Saudi Arabia is reportedly working to form a coalition aimed at protecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement.