Oil prices turn lower as investors assess outlook for US-Iran peace talks
Oil prices turned lower on Wednesday after rising about $1 at the start of trade in Asia, with investors assessing the outlook for US-Iran peace talks following the U.S. extension of a ceasefire. Brent crude futures were down 21 cents, or 0.2%, at $98.27 a barrel at 0039 GMT, after touching $99.38 earlier in the session. West Texas Intermediate futures fell 28 cents, or 0.3%, to $89.39, after climbing as high as $90.71. Both benchmark contracts rose about 3% on Tuesday. US President Donald Trump said he would indefinitely extend the ceasefire with Iran, hours before its expiry, to allow talks to continue to end a war that has killed thousands and shaken the global economy. The move appeared unilateral, and it was not immediately clear whether Iran, or U.S. ally Israel, would agree to extend the truce, which began two weeks ago.