Crude-oil futures rose on Monday in reaction to the referral of Iran to the United Nations Security Council, setting the stage for possible sanctions against the oil exporter. Front-month crude oil contracts were last up 58 cents at $65.95 a barrel in electronic trade following the referral. The International Atomic Energy Agency over the weekend voted to send Iran to the Security Council, opening the way for international punishment against the country, on an "absence of confidence" that Iran is using its nuclear program for strictly peaceful means. German Chancellor Angela Merkel used particularly tough language, likening Iran's nuclear threat to the early days of the Nazi regime. The Iran concerns lifted oil, and that of other commodities, as markets prepared for increasing tensions. "A serious war is becoming increasingly likely, and war has historically always resulted in soaring inflation and soaring commodity prices, with base metals in strong demand," said Martin Hennecke, a financial adviser with Hong Kong brokerage Bridgewater. Still, after a flurry of recent headlines on Iran, the rise in crude was limited as markets also looked to recent supply data seen as bearish for oil prices. "Inventories are well above normal levels regardless of the weather or other disruptions," said Serge Laureau, a trader with Saxo Bank.