Oil prices were also pressured by a report by industry group American Petroleum Institute, indicating weaker demand in the world's biggest oil-consuming economy. - File photo

SINGAPORE: Oil prices edged lower in Asian trade Wednesday, amid hopes of easing tensions between major producer Iran and the West, but eurozone debt woes continued cast a shadow over the market.

New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate crude for delivery in July, was down 60 cents at $91.25 per barrel while Brent North Sea crude for July shed 62 cents to $107.79 in morning trade.

“Oil has slipped on news that Iran will let UN nuclear inspectors into the country,” said Justin Harper, market strategist at IG Markets Singapore.

International Atomic Energy Agency chief Yukiya Amano said that he and Iran's chief nuclear negotiator would “soon” reach an agreement on the UN watchdog probing Iran's suspected weapons activities.

The announcement by Amano came ahead of talks in Baghdad later Wednesday between world powers and Tehran aimed at defusing tensions over the Islamic republic's nuclear ambitions.

The reaction of Western diplomats -- and Israel -- was cool, however.

Israel and much of the West believe Tehran is developing atomic weapons and have imposed sanctions on its financial and oil industries in response.

Iran vehemently rejects the accusations, insisting the programme is for peaceful purposes including cancer treatment.

Dealers are also keeping an eye on the eurozone debt crisis amdi worries Greece could exit the 17-member currency bloc, analysts said.

“The crisis in the euro area has become more serious recently, and it remains the most important source of risk to the global economy,” OECD chief economist Pier Carlo Padoan said in the organisation's latest report released Tuesday.

While the eurozone gained some breathing space at the beginning of the year from the European Central Bank pumping more than a trillion euros into banks, tensions soared in recent weeks after inconclusive elections on May 6 raised the spectre of a Greek exit.

Prices were also pressured by a report by industry group American Petroleum Institute (API) indicating weaker demand in the world's biggest oil-consuming economy.

The official weekly inventory report by the Energy Information Administration is due later Wednesday.

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...