Oil prices eased at the start of the week even as attacks on tankers continued near the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude, the global benchmark, fell about 0.7% to roughly $101.60 a barrel in early Asian trading Monday, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate dropped about 1% to near $90, the Economic Times reported.

Two forces pulled prices down. First, more oil is getting out of the Gulf. Middle East crude exports topped their prewar level on four of seven days in late September, Reuters reported, citing data from the tracking firm Kpler. The seven-day average reached about 18.5 million barrels a day on Oct. 1, compared with about 18 million before the war began in February.

Second, the Group of Seven major economies plan to release 100 million barrels from their emergency stockpiles. That oil is meant to calm prices and cover any new supply gaps.

Still, the risks are plain. A new tanker, the Lipsi, was hit Sunday, and Iran says the strait will stay closed to normal traffic until its conditions are met. In Yemen, the government has launched a new offensive against the Houthis, who say they fired missiles at Saudi oil sites.

For context, Brent traded far lower before the war. Prices spiked when shipping through Hormuz was choked off this spring. A fifth of the world's oil normally passes through the strait.

For drivers, crude is the biggest part of the price of gasoline. AAA's national average for regular was about $4.37 a gallon Monday, down from records set in September. Diesel, used by trucks and farm equipment, is still well above $6.

The OPEC+ group of producers also agreed Sunday to keep November output targets steady.

What we know: Brent is near $101, and exports and reserves are adding supply.
What we don't: Whether new attacks will cut flows again.