Juan Zuniga gasses up an SUV in Dallas last winter....

Juan Zuniga gasses up an SUV in Dallas last winter. (Feb. 24, 2011) Credit: AP

Oil prices are soaring as tensions grow over key Persian Gulf oil shipments.

In Tuesday morning trading benchmark crude jumped $3.86, nearly 4 percent, to $102.69 per barrel in New York. Brent crude rose $4.05, or 3.8 percent, to $111.43 per barrel in London.

Prices shot up as commodity exchanges opened for the first day of 2012 trading, driven by concerns that Iran would try to close the Strait of Hormuz to oil tankers, if Western nations impose new sanctions.

Meanwhile, U.S. gasoline prices were flat at a national average of $3.28 per gallon.

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed is heading 'Out East' to showcase the ultimate local spots you need to explore. Credit: Randee Daddona, Michael A. Rupolo Sr.

Out East Show: Visit The Shamrock evergreen maze, Sannino Vineyard, Seven Ponds Orchard and the Warrior Ranch Foundation NewsdayTV's Doug Geed is heading 'Out East' to showcase the ultimate local spots you need to explore.

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed is heading 'Out East' to showcase the ultimate local spots you need to explore. Credit: Randee Daddona, Michael A. Rupolo Sr.

Out East Show: Visit The Shamrock evergreen maze, Sannino Vineyard, Seven Ponds Orchard and the Warrior Ranch Foundation NewsdayTV's Doug Geed is heading 'Out East' to showcase the ultimate local spots you need to explore.

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