US-Iran war news LIVE updates: Qatari mediators expect US-Iran diplomacy to lead to breakthrough | Today’s news
US-Iran war news LIVE updates: Qatar expressed hope on Tuesday that shuttle diplomacy between Iran and the US could help a breakthrough, despite US President Donald Trump denying reports that he was willing to ease sanctions and release frozen Iranian funds in exchange for concessions on its nuclear program. Speaking to reporters, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said: “We are exchanging messages between the parties and working to create a common ground to reach an agreement that would save us all from the consequences of the conflict.” His remarks came as Washington and Tehran again failed to find a way out of their war, now in its eighth month. While talks on the sidelines of last week’s UN General Assembly meeting in New York appeared to gather momentum, they have yet to produce any agreement on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Middle East oil flows reach 98% of pre-war levels: JPMorgan
Oil flows from the Middle East have almost returned to pre-war levels, despite the continued risk to shipping, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co. In a Sept. 29 note, analysts said: “Middle East oil export arteries are flowing again,” adding: “This is a ‘remarkable recovery for a region still at war,’ even if it has been uneven.” According to the company, crude supplies rebounded to 17.5 million barrels a day, 98% of pre-war levels, while flows of products such as diesel and gasoline reached 3 million barrels a day, or 58 percent.
Oil holds down as exports to the Middle East near pre-war levels
Oil settled after its biggest drop in more than a week on signs Middle East supplies rose to near pre-war levels after Saudi Arabia resumed flows through a pipeline that avoids the Strait of Hormuz. Brent for November traded near $103 a barrel after falling 2.6 percent in the previous session, while West Texas Intermediate hovered around $89.
British police found no explosives, but questions remain after an arrest near a US military base
A surprise decision by British counter-terrorism police to release five suspects on bail during an investigation into a suspected bomb plot at a US airbase in England has deepened questions and uncertainty about the incident. Police confirmed on Tuesday that no explosives had been found in three vans linked to the suspects and said the decision to grant bail was based on “experience and strategy”. US President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday he was surprised that five young Britons who were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of explosives and terror offenses near RAF Fairford were released a day later.
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