Buyers regain control, with $93.48 now a key level to hold.Crude oil pushed to its highest level since late September, with reports of increased Middle East tensions helping fuel the rally. A technical break above a key swing area gave buyers another reason to push higher.On the hourly chart, the price moved above resistance between $92.29 and $93.48, reaching a high of $94.36 before rotating lower. The current price is near $93.56, with the pullback so far holding above the top of that former resistance area.That makes $93.48 the immediate risk-defining level for buyers. When resistance is broken, traders want to see it hold as support. Stay above, and the upside remains the path of least resistance. Move back below, and the breakout loses some of its bullish appeal, opening the door for a deeper rotation into the swing area.The next upside targets come in at:$94.36: Today’s high.$96.50–$97.00: Swing highs from late September.$98.48: Another higher swing high.Earlier in the session, the picture was much different. Crude fell to $89.61, briefly moving below its 100- and 200-hour moving averages. However, downside momentum quickly faded, and the price snapped back above both averages.The sellers had their shot. They could not sustain the break. Buyers took back control, with the hourly price action since then showing a largely steady climb.The broader technical picture also helped set the stage for the rebound. Last week’s low stalled near $86.93, the 50% midpoint of the rally from the early-July low to the September high. Holding that midpoint gave buyers a level to lean against and helped keep the larger rally intact.U.S. holiday trading may have amplified today’s swings, while Middle East tensions remain a potential source of support. For traders, however, the price levels provide the clearest guide.The breakout is in place. Now buyers need to defend it. Holding above $93.48 keeps them in control and leaves $94.36 as the next hurdle. This article was written by Greg Michalowski at investinglive.com.