oil benchmark, climbed by 2.7 per cent to $111.2 per barrel in early trading, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the U.S. bench- mark, rose 2.3 per cent to $98.5. The surge marks the highest level in about three weeks and reflects growing anxiety in the energy market over geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East. The price rally follows signals that negotiations to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran may not yield immediate results. Donald Trump reportedly indicat- ed reluctance to accept Iran’s latest proposal aimed at ending hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vita…