Oil up slightly ahead of long US weekend as peace efforts hold

Oil prices rose slightly on Friday before a long holiday weekend in the US as wary optimism held ​over efforts to make peace in the Middle East ‌between the United States and Iran. Brent futures were up 17 cents, or 0.24%, to $72.10 a barrel as of 0155 GMT. West Texas Intermediate was up 14 ​cents, or 0.20%, to $68.83 a barrel. US markets will close on ​Friday ahead of the US Independence Day holiday on ⁠Saturday. During the prior session the two benchmarks hit their lowest levels since ​before the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran began in late February. Brent ​for the week was down 0.02% and WTI up 0.12%, the smallest weekly movements for both in months.