Oil prices rise sharply in market trading after attacks in Middle East disrupt supply

Fishermen work in front of oil tankers south of the Strait of Hormuz on Jan. 19, 2012, offshore of the town of Ras Al Khaimah in United Arab Emirates.

The high prices came as U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory strikes against Israel and U.S. military installations around the Gulf sent disruptions through the global energy supply chain.

(Image credit: Kamran Jebreili)