TOKYO, Aug 3 — Oil prices tumbled today in early Asia trade after US President Donald Trump announced fresh talks with Iran to end the Middle East war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The war, which began in late February when the United States and Israel attacked Iran, has caused oil prices to swing sharply as it effectively closed the waterway, a vital route for global oil and gas supplies.
At around 2250 GMT (6.50pm Malaysian time) yesterday, the price of a barrel of Brent North Sea, the benchmark international oil contract, for September delivery was down 4.69 per cent at US$83.81 (RM342).
Its American equivalent, West Texas Intermediate, fell 4.67 per cent to US$80.72.
Trump said yesterday that fresh negotiations with Iran will begin on Monday after holding off on major strikes against the Islamic republic to pursue a deal.
"Now what we're doing is we're talking to them in the form of a negotiation. It begins tomorrow afternoon," he said, without providing further details of the venue of the talks or the participants.
Hours after the US had called off major strikes Iran yesterday said it was nearing a deal with Oman over a new route through the Strait of Hormuz. — AFP
