US Oil Update: Futures Ease as Trump Signals US-Iran Talks Will Continue Despite Strikes

Crude oil futures held steady in midday trading on Friday after President Trump said the US would continue peace talks with Iran despite the latest military exchange, easing concerns that the US-Iran tit-for-tat attacks could trigger a prolonged supply disruption. Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude futures slipped by 1.1% to $71.29 per barrel, while Brent futures eased 0.6% to $75.84/bbl. Saxo Bank strategists said that US-Iran talks, albeit only at a technical level, continue despite a flare-up in fighting this week, with the US saying it remains committed to finding a solution. Trump said on Friday that the US and Iran have agreed to continue peace talks, even though the ceasefire established by last month's preliminary deal has been scrapped. Trump, in a Truth Social post, said that Tehran "has asked us to continue 'talks'" and that "we have agreed to do so." The US President said on Friday that he has left instructions that, should Iran succeed in assassinating him, Washington should bomb Iran at levels never seen before, according to media reports. On Thursday, Iranian armed forces launched attacks on US military infrastructure in the Gulf states after US.