Oil prices rallied towards $65 per barrel on fears of a US military attack on Iran that would disrupt flows from the Middle East, which provides more than 20 per cent of the world's oil output.
"Crude prices are spiking on increased Middle East tensions after Iran shot down a US drone in what the US claims is international airspace," said Jason Gammel from Jefferies, a New York-based financial services company.
Iran said it had shot the drone over its territorial waters.
Brent crude, a major trading classification of crude oil that serves as a benchmark price for purchases of oil globally, was up 0.66 per cent at $64.87 per barrel on Friday. The global benchmark jumped 4.3 per cent on Thursday and was up around 5 per cent for the week, in its first weekly gain in five weeks.
Iranian officials said on Friday that Tehran had received a message from American President Donald Trump through Oman overnight warning that a US attack on Iran was imminent.
The officials said they had responded by saying that any attack would have regional and international consequences.
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Gulf of Oman tanker attacks: Mines point to Iran role, US Navy chief says
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The Japanese oil tanker Kokuka Courageous off the port of Fujairah. AFP -
The damage of Kokuka Courageous. AFP -
A closer look of the damage of Kokuka Courageous. Reuters -
Kokuka Courageous tanker off the coast of Fujairah. Reuters -
Pieces of aluminium and composite debris that the U.S. Navy says came from a limpet mine attack. AP Photo -
Items collected by the US Navy from Kokuka Courageous tanker. Reuters -
Items collected by the US Navy from Kokuka Courageous tanker. Reuters -
Journalists board a US Navy patrol boat at the US Navy 5th Fleet base near Fujairah. AP Photo -
Commander Sean Kido, Commanding Officer of Task Group 56.1, speaks during a press briefing at a UAE Naval facility near the port of Fujairah. AFP
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Tensions have been on the rise because US sanctions on Iran have severely reduced oil exports from Opec's third largest producer and Washington has blamed Tehran, which denies any role, for a series of attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf.
"There is no doubt that a severe disruption to the transit of oil through this vulnerable route would be extremely serious," said consultancy FGE Energy in a note.
Meanwhile, world stocks also fell on Friday because of the threatened US military strike against Iran.
MSCI world equity index, which tracks shares in 47 countries, fell from a seven-week high - driven mostly by weakness in Asian stocks.
Another macroeconomic factor supporting global oil prices is the plan by Beijing and Washington to resume talks to resolve a trade tariff war that has hit economic growth prospects.
"Trade anxiety has died down, pushing energy prices higher as global growth will not be pressured by a prolonged tariff war," said Alfonso Esparza, senior market analyst at US-based OANDA, which provides currency solutions to corporate clients.
