Oil Prices Rebound as Iran Denies U.S. Talks, Middle East Tensions Persist 
UK Consumer Confidence Weakens Amid Middle East Conflict and Rising Living Costs 
Oil Prices Plunge Over 6% as Middle East Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Fears 
Wall Street Slides as Iran War Uncertainty, Oil Surge, and AI Fears Rattle Markets 
Australia-EU Free Trade Deal Signed After Years of Negotiations 
Asian Stocks Gain Amid Iran Conflict Uncertainty 
U.S. Futures Slide as Iran Denies Nuclear Talks with Washington 
U.S. Dollar Weakens as Trump Signals Iran Deal Possibility 
Oil Prices Rebound as Iran Denies U.S. Talks Amid Gulf War Supply Fears 
Bank of Japan Eyes April Rate Hike Despite Inflation Dip, ING Says 
Bank of Japan Officials Signal Continued Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Concerns 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Dollar Rebounds Amid Middle East Uncertainty and Japan Inflation Data 
Federal Reserve Balance Sheet Reduction: Brookings Research Outlines Possible Path Forward 
Gold Prices Surge on U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Reports 
Australia's Inflation Eases in February but Core Pressures Persist 
Oil prices edged higher during Asian trading on Thursday as conflicting signals over potential Middle East de-escalation kept energy markets on alert. Brent crude futures for May delivery rose 0.8% to $103.02 per barrel, while WTI crude gained 1% to reach $91.20 per barrel, partially recovering from losses exceeding 2% in the prior session.
The modest rebound came as traders digested cautious diplomatic developments out of Tehran, where Iranian officials are reportedly evaluating a U.S.-backed framework aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. Although Iran has yet to formally accept the proposal, its refusal to outright reject it has injected a degree of cautious optimism into the market. However, Iranian authorities publicly denied engaging in direct talks with Washington, citing unresolved core differences, which continued to fuel uncertainty among investors.
Crude oil prices have experienced extreme volatility in recent weeks following disruptions to energy flows from the Gulf region, a cornerstone of global crude supply. Earlier this month, Brent surged past $119 per barrel driven by fears of major supply outages, underscoring how sensitive energy markets remain to geopolitical risk in the region.
A central concern for oil traders remains the Strait of Hormuz, the critical shipping corridor through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes. Any renewed threat to navigation through the waterway could quickly reignite upward pressure on global crude prices.
Wednesday's price decline reflected market relief following early ceasefire reports, which temporarily reduced the geopolitical risk premium built into oil valuations. Meanwhile, Washington's warnings of stronger economic measures should Iran fail to engage meaningfully added yet another layer of complexity to an already fragile outlook.
With diplomatic negotiations fluid and regional tensions unresolved, oil markets are expected to remain highly sensitive to any new developments in the coming days.
