Oil prices leapt, and stocks fell on worries that escalating violence following Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear and military targets could damage the flow of crude around the world, along with the global economy.

Rather, it is geopolitical factors—specifically, escalating tensions in the Middle East—that are unsettling markets and pushing prices higher.

Oil futures soared in electronic trade late Thursday after Israel's attack on Iran, with West Texas Intermediate crude, the U.S. benchmark, up nearly 10% in electronic trade on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration on Thursday that oil prices have risen amid supply concerns from potential conflict in the Middle East. Both global and U.S. oil prices surged more than 4% on Wednesday to their highest levels since early April before easing a bit on Thursday.