Oil on Track for First Weekly Drop in Seven Weeks Ahead of US-Iran Talks

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Oil on Track for First Weekly Drop in Seven Weeks Ahead of US-Iran Talks

US crude futures saw a slight rise on Friday but were set to record their first weekly decline in seven weeks as supply concerns eased. Investors were also focused on the outcome of US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman later in the day.

Brent crude futures rose 25 cents, or 0.4%, to $67.80 a barrel at 0353 GMT, while the US West Texas Intermediate crude was also up 25 cents, or 0.4%, at $63.54 a barrel, The Caspian Post reports, citing foreign media.

The benchmarks are down more than 3% from near six-month highs reached in late January when US President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran, with the two sides set to hold talks in Oman on Friday.

However, Tehran and Washington have not agreed on the agenda for the meeting.

Iran wants to discuss only nuclear issues, while the US is pressing to include Iran’s ballistic missiles, support for armed groups around the region and the treatment of its people.

“The two sides remain well apart, leaving tensions elevated. This should see the geopolitical risk premium remain in place,” Daniel Hynes, an analyst at ANZ, said in a note on Friday.

Any escalation of tensions between the US and Iran could disrupt oil flows, as about a fifth of the world’s total oil consumption passes through the Strait of Hormuz between Oman and Iran.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq export most of their crude via the strait, as does their fellow OPEC member Iran.

If the US-Iran talks ease the prospect of conflict in the region, oil prices could decline further.

“We think that geopolitical fears will give way to weak fundamentals,” Capital Economics analysts said in a note, pointing to a recovery in Kazakhstan’s oil output which will help push oil prices lower, towards $50 per barrel by end-2026.

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Oil on Track for First Weekly Drop in Seven Weeks Ahead of US-Iran Talks

US crude futures saw a slight rise on Friday but were set to record their first weekly decline in seven weeks as supply concerns eased. Investors were also focused on the outcome of US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman later in the day.