Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Oil Prices Fall as Trump Signals Iran Diplomacy Progress
Oil prices went down on Friday after President Trump said talks with Iran were making progress.
He also said the United States would not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections.
Iran is reviewing an American response to a proposal that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days.
That waterway is important for ships carrying oil.
But oil prices are still high because attacks on ships and other disruptions have made supplies less certain.
The United States also announced new sanctions connected to Iranian oil shipments.
Traders are watching to see whether diplomacy or continued conflict has the bigger effect on oil supplies.
Brent crude fell 1.3% to $103 a barrel on Friday, while US West Texas Intermediate dropped 1.16% to $90.43.
Prices eased after President Donald Trump said the United States was holding productive discussions with Iran and would not attack before the November 3 midterm elections.
Iranian state news agency Tasnim reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran was reviewing Washington’s response to an Iranian proposal.
The proposal could allow the Strait of Hormuz to reopen within seven days, while attacks on oil shipments and regional disruptions continued to worry traders.
The United States announced sanctions against individuals, networks and 17 vessels allegedly involved in transporting Iranian oil and related products.
- Who
- Oil traders, the United States and Iran; President Donald Trump and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi are named.
- What
- Oil prices fell after Trump signalled progress in diplomacy with Iran, while concerns about shipping disruptions and sanctions persisted.
- When
- Friday; Trump referred to the November 3 US midterm elections, and the Iranian proposal could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days.
- Where
- Oil markets and the Middle East, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Mexico.
- Why
- Trump's remarks eased immediate fears of military escalation and oil-supply disruption, although shipping risks and sanctions continued to create uncertainty.
Diplomatic progress may ease supply fears
Ongoing risks may keep oil markets volatile
Effect of US-Iran discussions
Diplomatic progress may ease supply fears
Trump's remarks about productive discussions and no attack before the midterm elections eased immediate fears of escalation.
Ongoing risks may keep oil markets volatile
Uncertainty over the conflict remained, and the possibility of renewed military escalation continued to concern traders.
Oil supply outlook
Diplomatic progress may ease supply fears
The Iranian proposal could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, potentially restoring shipping and easing pressure on supplies.
Ongoing risks may keep oil markets volatile
Attacks on oil-carrying vessels, regional shipping disruptions and new US sanctions continued to create uncertainty over exports.
- Brent crude
- Down 1.3% to $103 per barrel on Friday.
- US West Texas Intermediate
- Down 1.16% to $90.43.
- Trump's statement
- He said Washington was holding productive discussions with Tehran and would not attack Iran before the November 3 US midterm elections.
- Iranian proposal
- It could allow the Strait of Hormuz to reopen within seven days.
- Strait of Hormuz
- Before the hostilities, it carried shipments equivalent to approximately 20% of global oil and fuel supplies.
- US sanctions
- New measures targeted individuals, networks and 17 vessels allegedly involved in transporting Iranian crude, petroleum products and petrochemicals.
- Other market pressures
- Attacks on oil shipments and production disruptions in the Gulf of Mexico contributed to continuing uncertainty.