OPEC+ set to affirm its policy of production cuts amid tensions in the Middle East and Russia. West Texas Intermediate settled above $81, while global benchmark Brent closed above $86 a barrel. OPEC+ delegates aren’t seeing a need to change supply policy at a review meeting next week, according to several national officials, with quotas in place until June proving effective. The Houthis renewed threats against Saudi Arabia if it supported US strikes. Signs of a shift in monetary policy have also aided sentiment. The Federal Reserve has signaled a willingness to cut interest rates later this year, buoying appetite for risk assets, including oil. Crude has risen about 14% this quarter, breaking out of a tight range that held for the first two months of the year. Attacks by Ukraine on Russian refineries have aided gains, together with signs of strength in some product markets including gasoline. The positive overall market outlook has spurred hedge funds to increase their bullish bets on Brent.