• Oil was steady as the market waited for a US response to the deadly attack on American troops in Jordan, which could risk an escalation of tensions in a region key to global crude production.
• West Texas Intermediate was close to $77 a barrel in early Asian trading after losing 1.6% on Monday, despite the drone assault on US soldiers, which Iran sought to distance itself from. Brent crude also closed lower near $82. Data showing that OPEC+ appears to be making a slow start to its latest output cuts put downward pressure on prices.
• Oil is on track for a monthly gain following an escalation of hostilities by the Yemen-based Houthi rebels on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, including an attack on a fuel tanker on Friday. Still, robust supply from non-OPEC producers and concerns about demand from key consumers has weighed on the outlook.