Oil falls amid optimism over potential diplomatic solution to the Iran conflict

Numerous merchant ships belonging to Iran and other countries remain at anchor in the Strait of Hormuz in Bandar Abbas, Iran, on September 8, 2026.Fatemeh Bahrami | Anadolu | Getty ImagesOil fell Friday following a report that U.S. and Iranian negotiators in New York are discussing a phased deal to end the standoff in the Persian Gulf.Futures for international benchmark Brent crude for November delivery declined 0.92% to $105.68 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures for November dropped 1.52% to $93.09 per barrel.Stock Chart IconStock chart icon brentReuters reported that a senior Iranian official had said the most realistic path forward is for Tehran to allow navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the U.S. ending its naval blockade. The U.S. and Iran agreed to this approach under a June 17 memorandum of understanding, but the deal quickly collapsed into renewed fighting. It is unclear what is different about the current negotiations.Iran now wants the U.S. to return to the memorandum of understanding before the U.S. midterm elections, according to Al Jazeera, which reported that this was told to media outlets by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon wti"It is understood that the two sides have been communicating via mediators," said David Morrison, senior market analyst at Trade Nation. Investors are still expressing their concerns over sticky inflation, higher energy prices and bellicose statements from the US and Iran at the UN General Assembly in New York, Morrison said.