Oil Eases Ahead of US-Iran Talks

2026-04-20 23:24 By Jam Kaimo Samonte 1 min. read

WTI crude futures slipped toward $86 per barrel on Tuesday, trimming gains from the prior session following reports that Iran will send a delegation to Islamabad for a second round of negotiations with the US before the current two-week ceasefire expires.

The move marks a shift from Tehran’s earlier stance that it would not engage in additional peace discussions.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said he is unlikely to extend the existing truce if no agreement is reached by this week, adding that the Strait of Hormuz will remain blocked until a deal is secured.

The strategic waterway continues to play a central role in the talks, as tensions resurfaced over the weekend after the US seized an Iranian vessel while Tehran targeted ships and reasserted control over the strait.

Other major sticking points between the two sides include Iran’s nuclear program and persistent regional hostilities.



News Stream
Oil Eases Ahead of US-Iran Talks
WTI crude futures slipped toward $86 per barrel on Tuesday, trimming gains from the prior session following reports that Iran will send a delegation to Islamabad for a second round of negotiations with the US before the current two-week ceasefire expires. The move marks a shift from Tehran’s earlier stance that it would not engage in additional peace discussions. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said he is unlikely to extend the existing truce if no agreement is reached by this week, adding that the Strait of Hormuz will remain blocked until a deal is secured. The strategic waterway continues to play a central role in the talks, as tensions resurfaced over the weekend after the US seized an Iranian vessel while Tehran targeted ships and reasserted control over the strait. Other major sticking points between the two sides include Iran’s nuclear program and persistent regional hostilities.
2026-04-20
Oil Rises Again on Monday on Hormuz Escalations
WTI crude oil futures surged more than 5% to $88.8 per barrel on Monday, after an 11.5% plunge on Friday, as tensions between the US and Iran intensified over the weekend. US President Trump said he is unlikely to extend the current truce with Tehran if an agreement isn’t reached before it ends this week, adding that the Strait of Hormuz would remain blocked until a deal is finalized. The remarks followed escalating threats and the US seizure of an Iranian cargo vessel, dimming hopes that oil exports from the region could resume in the near term. Trump also noted that a US delegation was en route to Pakistan, while Iran has yet to confirm whether it will participate in further talks. The standoff risks exacerbating the global energy crunch, with the critical Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil and gas flows, remaining largely obstructed.
2026-04-20
Oil Rises on Hormuz Escalations
WTI crude oil futures jumped more than 5% to $88.8 per barrel on Monday after plunging 11.5% on Friday, as tensions between the US and Iran escalated following attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The US Navy seized an Iranian ship over the weekend after Tehran fired on vessels and reinstated controls over the key waterway, closing it again after accusing Washington of violating a ceasefire set to expire this week. The US also fired on another Iranian linked vessel in the Gulf of Oman, while Iran targeted ships in the strait, leaving traffic near a standstill. President Donald Trump warned of further escalation if no deal is reached, though talks remain uncertain as Iran has signaled it may not attend negotiations in Pakistan. The standoff threatens to deepen the global energy crisis, with the vital route for oil and gas flows largely blocked.
2026-04-20