Oil rises 1% as US-Iran peace talks stall

The sun rising behind a tanker anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, April 18, 2026. (Asghar Besharati/AP)
The sun rising behind a tanker anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, April 18, 2026. (Asghar Besharati/AP)

Oil prices are up more than 1% today as peace talks between the US and Iran stall while shipments through the Strait of Hormuz remain limited, keeping global oil supplies tight.

Brent crude futures rose $1.35, or 1.3%, to $106.68 a barrel by 0453 GMT, retreating from early session gains of over $2 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate is at $95.35 a barrel, up 95 cents, or 1%.

Last week, Brent and WTI gained nearly 17% and 13%, respectively, the biggest weekly gains since the start of the war.

Hopes of reviving peace efforts receded during the weekend when US President Donald Trump scrapped a planned trip to Islamabad by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

“President Trump’s recent post on Truth Social, urging to shoot and kill any Iranian boat laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, alongside his claims of having full control over Hormuz, has continued to fuel elevated war premiums,” says Priyanka Sachdeva, analyst at Phillip Nova.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.