Brent crude traded around $102 a barrel on Friday amid reports of additional US military deployments to the Middle East and China’s decision on Thursday to halt fuel exports this month. The US is reportedly sending a third aircraft carrier strike group to the region, along with an amphibious force carrying 2,000 Marines, raising concerns over a potential escalation in the months-long conflict. The deployment comes as US President Donald Trump has signaled an intention to resume strikes on Iran after the November midterm elections. Meanwhile, China’s major refiners have suspended most refined fuel exports for October. However, a strong rebound in oil flows from the Persian Gulf has largely offset upward price pressures. Middle Eastern crude exports have recovered close to prewar levels, although uncertainty over US-Iran negotiations continues to cloud the outlook. The G7 have agreed to release as much as 100 million barrels of diesel and crude stocks over the next four months.