Global oil prices were poised to end above $100 a barrel for a fourth session in a row on Tuesday, as some nations refused a U.S. call for help to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

Oil prices spiked Tuesday as Iran intensified its attacks on energy infrastructure across the Middle East and a senior regime figure suggested that the crucial Strait of Hormuz wouldn’t become safe for ships anytime soon.

Iran's state television broadcast a regime threat to attack oil infrastructure in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Iran says its oil in South Pars was struck on Wednesday, and confirmed a top intelligence official has been killed.

Oil prices rose nearly 2% on Tuesday, March 17, recovering some of the previous session's losses as Iran renewed attacks on the United Arab Emirates.

Israel says it has killed another top Iranian official, which would be the third in two days. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Iran's intelligence minister had been killed overnight.

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Kent, who headed the National Counterterrorism Center, said in his resignation letter that 'Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation.'