Oil rose to a nine-month high in New York after Iran said it halted some crude exports and investors bet that fuel demand will increase as Europe moves closer to bailing out Greece.

    Futures climbed as much as 2.1% for a fourth day of gains, the longest rising streak since December. Iran will supply crude to "new customers" instead of companies in the UK and France, the oil ministry's news website, Shana, said.
    Prices also advanced as European finance ministers
prepared to meet to discuss a 130-billion-euro ($172 billion) aid package for Greece, the country's second rescue in less than two years.
    "The heightened level of tension surrounding Iran's nuclear program continues to support prices, as does satisfactory growth in the US and China," said Christopher Bellew, a senior broker at Jefferies Bache in London.
    Crude for March delivery rose as much as $2.20 to $105.44 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the highest intraday price since May 5. AGENCIES