Oil prices break $100 per barrel mark following attacks on oil facilities and ships in Middle East

International benchmark oil prices surpassed $100 per barrel Wednesday following attacks on oil facilities and ships in the Middle East. 

Brent crude oil prices jumped 3% to $100.72 early Wednesday, the Associated Press reported. West Texas Intermediate oil prices, the American benchmark, remained below $100 per barrel, at $95.48 per barrel Wednesday morning, a 2.4% increase. 

Gasoline prices won't respond to the recent increases for some time, but they continue to experience upward pressure from the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East. 

The average price for a gallon of gas in the U.S. was $4.22 on Wednesday, according to AAA. This was up from $4.01 per gallow a month ago, and up from $3.19 a year ago. 

California drivers were paying the highest on Wednesday, at an average of $5.88 per gallon. Indiana drivers were paying the lowest, at an average of $3.48 per gallon.