Oil prices rose more than $3 a barrel on Wednesday after joint ​strikes in Iraq by the United States and Saudi Arabia, and ‌the interception of Iran’s ballistic missiles aimed at US forces in the Middle East, while US crude inventories shrank.

Brent futures increased by $3.30, or 3.9%, to $87.39 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $3.05, or 3.8%, to $82.31 ​a barrel.

“Renewed strength comes after the US said it intercepted a ⁠surprise attack on US troops,” ING analysts said in a note.

“Saudi Arabia ​intercepted drones from Iranian-backed groups in Iraq, which were targeting Saudi energy infrastructure,” ​they said, adding that US and Saudi forces launched strikes on weapon sites across eastern Iraq.

The latest developments dampen expectations for a swift de-escalation in the Persian Gulf, they said.

The ​US military said it intercepted ballistic missiles launched by Iran towards US forces ​in the Middle East in what Washington called “an attempted surprise attack” by Tehran.

Iran’s elite Revolutionary ‌Guards ⁠later said they fired several ballistic missiles at a US air base and military Central Command centre in Jordan.

Read: Oil prices fall 5% to two-week low

Saudi Arabia also said its armed forces, in coordination with US Central Command, carried out “targeted strikes” against Iran-backed groups in Iraq ​it blamed for drone ​attacks on the ⁠kingdom’s oil facilities.

US crude inventories fell by about 3.3 million barrels in the week ended July 24, market sources said ​on Tuesday, citing data from the American Petroleum Institute.

Official ​inventory data ⁠from the Energy Information Administration is due later on Wednesday.

Further supporting prices, OPEC+ is likely to halt oil output increases for three months starting in October, sources told ⁠Reuters, ​after the producer group completes the scheduled return ​of barrels following voluntary cuts.