Oil Holds Near US$100 as Traders Weigh Possible US–Iran Talks

Singapore, 22 September 2026 – Crude prices edged higher early on Tuesday as traders waited to see whether possible US–Iran contact at the United Nations gathering could change the outlook for supply and regional security. At 0021 GMT, November Brent futures were up 22 cents, or 0.22%, at US$100.57 a barrel. The expiring October US West Texas Intermediate contract was up two cents at US$95.80, while the more actively traded November WTI contract gained 13 cents to US$92.49. These contract and timestamp differences are essential when comparing prices.

The modest rebound followed several days of declines and did not, on its own, signal a durable change in fundamentals. Market participants were assessing comments that US President Donald Trump would be open to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the General Assembly week. A willingness to meet is not a scheduled negotiation, an agreement or a change to sanctions. The market therefore remains exposed to sudden shifts in expectations as diplomatic statements and physical supply data arrive.