MELBOURNE, May 1 (Reuters) - U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 41 cents or 0.43% on open to $105.50 a barrel, after a prior intraday Thursday high of $110.93 a barrel after uncertainty on the direction of the U.S. war against Iran persisted.

WTI closed down $1.81, or 1.69%, at $105.07, but earlier reached its highest point since April 7.

It is on track for its fourth month of gains, alongside benchmark Brent, reflecting fears the Iran conflict could choke global oil supplies for months to come.