Brent steady above $113 ahead of key Europe, U.S. data

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Brent crude held steady above $113 per barrel on Tuesday as investors awaited economic growth data out of Europe to gauge the region's energy demand outlook, while escalating tensions in the Middle East supported prices.

Obama Finds Oil in Markets Is Sufficient to Sideline Iran

WASHINGTON — After careful analysis of oil prices and months of negotiations, President Obama on Friday determined that there was sufficient oil in world markets to allow countries to significantly reduce their Iranian imports, clearing the way for Washington to impose severe new sanctions intended to slash Iran’s oil revenue and press Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitions.