Oil prices were higher today despite a surprise jump in US gasoline inventories. Tensions in the Middle East are front and center again and the market is worried about any disruptions to oil supplies. Gross border strains between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah have been escalating in recent weeks stoking fears of an all out war between the groups. “The geopolitical risk premium has been coming back to the market as a war between Israel and Lebanon is likely to see direct involvement of Iran, that would be a concern,” Andrew Lipow of Houston-based Lipow Oil Associates said. Early in the session, oil prices fell after the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a 3.6 million barrel jump in the country’s crude oil stocks last week, surprising analysts polled by Reuters who had expected a drawdown. WTI traded up $.07 to close at $80.90. Brent traded up $.24 or .3% to close at $85.25.