America News Agency

Brent crude oil futures fell 39 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $79.01 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures dropped 32 cents, or 0.4 percent, to $75.53 per barrel. For the week, both benchmarks were headed for a 1 percent-2 percent gain. The 200-day average for Brent is at $81.68 a barrel and for WTI it’s at $77.36.

In the United States, Hurricane Milton plowed into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday after cutting a destructive path across Florida, killing at least 10 people and leaving millions without power. The destruction could dampen fuel consumption in some areas of the world’s largest oil producer and consumer.

Crude benchmarks spiked this month after Iran launched more than 180 missiles against Israel on Oct. 1, raising the prospect of retaliation against Iranian oil facilities. Israel has yet to respond, and crude benchmarks have eased and remained relatively flat through the week.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, however, has said that any strike against Iran would be “lethal, precise and surprising”. Iran is backing several groups fighting Israel, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and the Houthis in Yemen.

In Lebanon, Israeli strikes on central Beirut on Thursday night killed 22 people and wounded at least 117, Lebanon’s health ministry said. Lebanese security sources said at least one senior Hezbollah figure was also targeted in the attacks.