CRUDE WRAP: WTI (N6) SETTLES USD 0.25 HIGHER AT USD 96.60/BBL; BRENT (N6) SETTLES USD 0.96 HIGHER AT USD 103.54/BBL

The crude complex settled with marginal gains, amid non-stop Middle East reporting, which was conflicting at times. All in all, the Pakistani Army Chief has reportedly arrived in Tehran, before source reports gave different indications on the progress of negotiations and the likelihood of a breakthrough, which saw two-way trade. Highlighting this and garnering risk-on trade was Sky News Arabia, citing sources that negotiations in Tehran have reached an understanding on broad outlines regarding the nuclear issue. However, and around the same time, Fars reported, citing an Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, that differences between Iran and the US are so deep and numerous that it cannot be said that we will definitely reach a conclusion with several visits or negotiations within a few weeks,.Tasnim added that one cannot necessarily say that have reached a point where an agreement is close. Elsewhere, headlines to be aware of were Al Araby saying Pakistan's army chief's visit to Tehran may be a last-ditch effort to prevent the region from returning to war, and that both Washington and Tehran are not showing sufficient flexibility on key issues. Ahead of tomorrow, Al Arabiya said a meeting tomorrow will bring together the Pakistani army chief and the commander of the IRGC. Into the long weekend, participants will be awaiting any update, either way, regarding the progress of talks and a deal upon returning on Tuesday. For the record, WTI traded between USD 94.73-99.43/bbl and Brent USD 101.34-106.36/bbl.