Audio By Carbonatix
Oil prices fell on Friday and are on track to snap a two-week winning streak, despite settling higher in the previous session following a report that U.S. President Donald Trump is not interested in returning to previous deal terms with Iran.
Brent crude futures were down 25 cents, or 0.3%, to $89.45 a barrel by 0035 GMT. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 22 cents, also 0.3%, to $83.31.
Both benchmarks were poised to end the week lower, with Brent down 5.3% and WTI falling 4.3%.
Citing people familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal report said the Trump administration has repeatedly told mediators it has no interest in reviving the June memorandum of understanding, complicating diplomatic efforts to restart talks.
Earlier on Thursday, Washington said it was not in talks with Iran despite diplomatic efforts by other countries to re-engage the two sides.
On Monday, the U.S. announced what it called the "toughest sanctions in history" on Iran. Tehran said the sanctions were an "inhumane and hostile act" that had lost their effectiveness.
Elsewhere, geopolitical tensions escalated after Moscow warned it could strike British military targets inside and outside Ukraine in response to Kyiv's attacks on Russian territory using British-supplied long-range cruise missiles.
Trump, however, said Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attack a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) country, and he downplayed media reports that CIA Director John Ratcliffe this week had warned Russian officials against such an attack. Britain is one of the founding members of NATO.
Latest Stories
-
Education Ministry to amend law to restore faith -based representation on GES Council
5 minutes -
‘I have no problem with Public Tribunals Act’ – Supreme Court nominee Forson
12 minutes -
Petrosol CEO Michael Bozumbil explains how trust fuelled company’s growth
16 minutes -
Motorists urged to give way to bullion vehicles
18 minutes -
“I enjoy your friendship despite our differences,” Ayariga tells Afenyo-Markin
24 minutes -
IEA calls for jobs-focused economic transformation
31 minutes -
GPHA demonstrates resilience, strategic vision in 40 years – Board Chairman
37 minutes -
Vice President calls for diversified funding for universities
43 minutes -
Institutionalise workplace HIV and Wellness Policy – GAC urges institutions
49 minutes -
Military steps up dredging, lagoon restoration efforts across Accra
55 minutes -
No cap on Supreme Court Justices for now -Anthony Forson Jr.
1 hour -
Oil on track for weekly loss even as Iran tensions simmer
1 hour -
Nigeria’s football leadership resigns amid governance concerns
1 hour -
Mali music star Salif Keïta cancels South African concerts over ‘xenophobic violence’
1 hour -
Thieves steal Bronze Age artefacts from Spanish museum in four-minute heist
2 hours