Oil prices hit the $100 per barrel mark early on Wednesday in Asian trade as the ongoing crisis in the Middle East has diminished hopes of U.S.-Iran talks and a return to normal oil flows soon. As of early morning trade in Europe on Wednesday, the international benchmark, Brent Crude, jumped by 2.25% to top $100 per barrel.
At $100.12, this was the highest level Brent has reached since July 24, when the first of several re-escalations in the Middle East hiked oil prices. The U.S. benchmark, WTI Crude, was also rallying, rising by 1.80% to…