US equity futures were edging lower pre-bell Wednesday as oil prices continued to rise amid escalating attacks between US and Iran in the Middle East, with Brent crude futures surpassing $100 per barrel for the first time in over a month.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.6% lower, S&P 500 futures were down 0.4%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.5% lower.

US Central Command said in a post on X Tuesday that it had destroyed five Iranian oil carriers. In response, Iran said it had attacked 10 ships in the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported. Iran-backed Houthi forces have also struck four cities in Saudi Arabia, causing fires at oil installations.

The US is moving to block some Canadian imports of alcoholic beverages, motorcycles and dairy products in an escalation of the trade war between the two nations after Canada's retaliatory tariffs took effect on Tuesday. The import bans go into effect on Sept. 29.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up nearly 3% at $100.78 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 2.6% higher at $95.49 per barrel.

The Q2 Census Bureau services survey is slated to be released at 10 am ET.