European natural gas prices surged to their highest level in three years on Sept 8, rising as much as 3.4% to levels not seen since Jan 2023, as traders rushed to replenish inventories ahead of winter while awaiting details of a potential Iran-Oman agreement on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Although Tehran said a deal with Oman was imminent and would include a temporary safe shipping lane, traders remained uncertain about how the United States would respond following its weekend strikes on Iranian oil tankers, leaving the risk of vessel attacks elevated.