New york: Oil prices hovered on Tuesday below their highest level in nearly seven months amid conditions in the Middle East, along with continued uncertainty about US trade policy. Brent crude futures fell nine cents, or 0.1 percent, to USD 71.40 a barrel, after a volatile trading session on Monday during which prices touched their highest level since July 31 at USD 72.50, before swinging between gains and losses of more than 1 percent.

According to Qatar News Agency, US West Texas Intermediate crude futures also declined 11 cents, or 0.2 percent, to USD 66.20 a barrel, after having risen in the previous session to USD 67.28, their highest level since Aug. 4.