Crude rises on geopolitical tensions despite stock build 0250 GMT: Crude oil futures were higher during mid-morning trade in Asia Thursday amid increasing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East despite a build reported in US crude stocks last week. At 10:50 am Singapore time (0248 GMT), July ICE Brent crude futures were up 48 cents/b (0.67%) from Wednesday’s settle to $72.25/b, while the NYMEX June light sweet crude contract gained 48 cents/b (0.77%) at $62.50/b. Saudi Arabia has blamed Iran for this week’s attacks on its pipeline, escalating a war of words that threatens vital oil and natural gas exports from the world’s primary producing region. In a letter to the UN Security Council, Saudi Arabia said Iran and the Houthi rebels in Yemen, which Iran has backed, were responsible for a drone attack Tuesday […]