Oil prices climbed on Monday, supported by Saudi optimism about Asian demand and an Iraqi pledge to deepen supply cuts, although uncertainty over a deal to shore up the U.S. economic recovery capped gains. Brent crude LCOc1 futures rose 34 cents, or 0.8%, to $44.74 a barrel by 0641 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 futures were up 47 cents, or 1.1%, to $41.69 a barrel. Both benchmark contracts fell on Friday, hurt by demand concerns, but Brent still ended the week up 2.5%, with WTI up 2.4%. “Comments from the weekend from Aramco are the driver at the moment,” said Michael McCarthy, market strategist at CMC Markets and Stockbroking. Saudi Arabian Aramco’s ( 2222.SE ) Chief Executive Amin Nasser said on Sunday he sees oil demand rebounding in Asia as economies gradually open up after the easing of coronavirus lockdowns. “He painted […]