Brent crude oil prices surged more than 4 per cent to $77.36 a barrel on Tuesday after the United States launched strikes on more than 80 Iranian military targets, escalating tensions in Western Asia and raising concerns over potential disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The military action followed Washington’s accusation that Tehran attacked three commercial vessels operating in or near the strategic waterway, a claim Iran has denied. The sharp rise in oil prices renewed fears of tighter global supplies and weighed on investor sentiment worldwide.