%{{tag.tag}} {{articledata.title}} {{moment(articledata.cdate)}} @{{articledata.company.replace(" ","")}} comment Oil prices are at their highest level in six months as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens to strike Iran if a deal isn't reached on the Middle Eastern country's nuclear program. Trump said he will decide whether to strike Iran within 10 days as officials from both countries continue to negotiate at the bargaining table. The situation in Iran has sent the price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, to $71.37 U.S. per barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude, the U.S. benchmark, is trading at $66.13 U.S. Both oil prices are at their highest levels in the past six months as risks mount in the oil-rich Middle East. Trump's latest threats come after a significant buildup of U.S. military forces in the Middle East and amid reports the president is considering military action against Tehran. Iran said in a letter addressed to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that Tehran will respond "decisively" if subjected to military aggression. In a new report, Morgan Stanley (NYSE: $MS ) said that three factors are currently propping up oil prices. Those factors are worries about Iran, a large amount of buying by China, and high freight rates. Barclays Bank (BCS) said that while oil markets have largely shrugged off the geopolitical noise so far, tensions are growing to the point where they can no longer be ignored. Iran's government has threatened a wider war and to attack energy infrastructure in the Middle East should the U.S. launch a military strike against it.