Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:50am on 26 Mar 2026,Thursday International
Global oil prices rose after Iran ruled out direct negotiations with the United States. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said communications were only indirect via “friendly countries,” not formal talks. In response, Donald Trump claimed Iran was reluctant to publicly admit negotiations. Market reaction was immediate, with Brent crude rising 1.6% to $103.85 and West Texas Intermediate up 1.4% to $91.61. The price surge reflects investor concerns over prolonged geopolitical tensions and uncertainty around supply, especially amid disruptions linked to the wider Middle East conflict and constrained energy flows. (PC: BBC)
