Oil prices were higher today as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East Continued. Talks involving the U.S., Egypt, Israel and Qatar on a Gaza truce ended without a breakthrough as calls grew for Israel to hold back on a planned assault on the southern end of the enclave, crammed with over a million displaced people. Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis have kept up attacks in the Red Sea, claiming solidarity with Palestinians and striking vessels with commercial ties to the U.S., Britain and Israel. Indicating tighter supply, the premium of the WTI front-month over the seventh month and 13th month held at a three-month high. The premium of the Brent front-month over the seventh month was at its highest in more than two months. U.S. crude oil inventories rose last week, while fuel stockpiles fell, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures released late on Tuesday. WTI traded up $.95 or 1.24% to close at $77.87. Brent traded up $.77 or .94% to close at $82.77