The U.S. was represented at the UN Security Council's emergency session on Friday by State Department Senior Bureau Official McCoy Pitt, who said the U.S. was advised by Israel that the actions carried out against Iran overnight were "necessary for its self-defense."

Iran has told mediators Qatar and Oman that it is not open to negotiating a ceasefire while it is under Israeli attack, an official briefed on the communications told Reuters on Sunday, as the two foes launched fresh attacks and raised fears of a wider conflict.

The conflict, the most intense fighting between the two countries in decades, has been met in the United States with feelings of “frustration and helplessness,” as well as heartbreak.

Oil prices jumped in early Asian trading Monday after renewed military strikes between Israel and Iran sparked fears of a wider Middle East conflict and potential disruptions to global oil supply. Brent crude rose $1.

CommSec’s Tom Piotrowski claims oil prices have surged by the biggest amount in about three years amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.