Crude Oil Prices Rise Slightly Ahead of Potential US-Iran Talks | September 22, 2026

Crude oil prices edged higher on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, after several sessions of declines, with traders awaiting developments on possible US-Iran talks at the United Nations General Assembly this week. 

Brent crude futures for November rose 22 cents, or 0.22%, to $100.57 a barrel at 0021 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for October, which expires on Tuesday, added 2 cents, or 0.02%, to $95.80 a barrel. The more actively traded November WTI contract gained 13 cents, or 0.14%, to $92.49 a barrel. 

US-Iran Talks in Focus 

Iran and the US exchanged threats on Sunday, although US President Donald Trump said he was open to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is expected in New York for the UN General Assembly. 

Iran has also conveyed conditions for resuming negotiations through mediators, according to Al Jazeera, citing Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei. 

The prospect of diplomatic engagement has kept traders focused on developments between Washington and Tehran, particularly as tensions in the Middle East remain elevated. 

Middle East Tensions Keep Supply Risks in View 

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis said they attacked Riyadh and a Saudi Aramco facility in Yanbu, while also stepping up efforts against Saudi-backed forces near the Red Sea coast. 

China has privately urged Tehran to help curb Houthi attacks, according to three Iranian sources. The development followed an appeal from Saudi Arabia to Beijing after a recent increase in Houthi military activity. 

Saudi Aramco has increased exports through the Strait of Hormuz after attacks on its East-West Pipeline forced the company to halt some shipments through Yanbu. 

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Saudi Oil Shipments and Libya Production 

Tanker tracking data showed that Saudi Aramco loaded around 14 million barrels of crude oil onto seven supertankers inside the Gulf on Sunday. 

Separately, Libya's National Oil Corp Chairman Massoud Suleman said the Sharara oilfield had experienced a partial reduction in production, without providing a reason for the decline. 

Conclusion 

Oil prices remain sensitive to developments surrounding US-Iran relations and supply disruptions across the Middle East. Traders are also watching shipments through key routes and changes in production as diplomatic and regional developments unfold. 

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