The price of oil has reached its highest level since June last year due to rising tensions over Iran's nuclear programme.

受伊朗核计划局势持续紧张的影响，石油价格达到自去年六月以来最高点。

Benchmark US light crude rose 1.7% to $105.01 a barrel and brent crude futures¹ rose $1.14 to $120.72 a barrel.

On Sunday, the country's oil ministry² said it had halted oil sales to British and French companies.

The cost of fuel has also risen. In the UK the price of diesel³（柴油） has hit a new high, at 143.16 pence a litre.

The figures, from Experian Catalyst⁴, also show the price of a litre of unleaded petrol has reached 135.39 pence.

Iran is the world's fifth-largest oil exporter.

The country insists its nuclear programme is peaceful, but the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency says it has information suggesting Iran has carried out tests "relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device".

Transition

The rise in the oil price also pushed UK oil giant BP's shares above 500 pence for the first time since last January.

Analysts⁵ say the price of oil has risen as EU countries seek to find new oil suppliers and Iran hunts new buyers for its oil.

"The increase in price is a direct result of European importers of Iranian oil looking round to find alternative sources," said Professor Paul Stevens from Chatham House.

Oil prices have also been driven up by an improvement in the performance of the US and Chinese economies.

The US is the world's largest consumer of oil.