The U.S. crude oil price benchmark, West Texas Intermediate, fell 8% to less than $68 a barrel, the lowest level since last week. The global Brent crude price benchmark likewise fell about 8%. Major stock indexes ended the day in positive territory.

Oil prices climbed slightly on Thursday, supported by a larger-than-expected drop in U.S. crude inventories, signaling strong demand, while investors remained cautious over the fragile Iran-Israel ceasefire and