Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Oil prices are nearing $100 per barrel on Tuesday following a wave of strikes on Saudi Arabian energy facilities, injuring more than 70 people. Saudi Arabia has announced it has paused operations at some of its energy facilities near the Yemen border following attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthis.

The attacks caused fires at the facilities and injured civilians. The attacks were carried out on Saudi Aramco facilities in the southern region by drones and ballistic missiles. Emergency responders continued to work on containing the fires on Tuesday morning.

"Several energy sector facilities and installations in the southern region of the Kingdom were targeted this morning," the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday, citing the Ministry of Energy. The attacks are part of a wave of escalating tension in the war in Iran.

The U.S. military launched strikes on three Iranian oil tankers over the weekend. This followed Iran launching ballistic missiles on two Navy ships. The Iranian Foreign Ministry called the attacks by the United States on commercial vessels a "war crime.

" As fighting heats up in the Middle East, oil prices continue to climb. Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, rose above $99 per barrel on Tuesday. It is the highest mark since July. West Texas Intermediate crude oil, the U.S. benchmark, is approaching $94 per barrel.

The exchange of fire in the Iran war has also pushed gas prices higher. AAA reports that the national average in the United States is more than $4.15 per gallon for regular grade gasoline. Tuesday's national average is about six cents higher than a week ago.

A year ago, regular gasoline cost $3.19 per gallon on average.

Saudi authorities reported that 73 people were injured following Houthi missile strikes on oil facilities in the Abha and Jizan regions, which the rebels described as their heaviest attack in years. Riyadh stated the incidents caused temporary operational disruptions and warned of further defensive measures, while unverified reports from rebel media indicated targets included international airport and military assets.

The strikes occurred amidst escalating regional tensions and a recent resurgence in fighting following the collapse of a four-year truce.

Goldman Sachs analysts stated that recent developments, including reported US strikes on Iranian oil tankers and retaliatory threats by Iranian officials, have heightened concerns over potential shipping disruptions in the Middle East. In response to these reported actions, Iranian authorities indicated they may establish a new exclusion zone affecting the Strait of Hormuz, which analysts suggest could lead to increased volatility in crude oil and natural gas markets.

Ukrainian officials reported a Russian missile attack on Kyiv on Tuesday, which they stated involved both ballistic and cruise missiles and resulted in damage to residential buildings and other infrastructure. The strikes occurred following visits by U.

S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to both Moscow and Kyiv, where Witkoff claimed a temporary ceasefire had been agreed upon prior to the attacks.