[MARKET ANALYSIS] Crude underpinned as eyes remain on US-Iran ceasefire heading into the weekend

In geopolitics, fresh updates have been light as focus remains on the state of the US-Iran ceasefire and talks. The week ahead centres on four key watchpoints. First, the Strait of Hormuz “red line”: President Trump has warned the US Navy could actively engage IRGC vessels suspected of laying mines or interfering with traffic, shifting from shadowing to potential direct strikes, particularly after an IRGC-escorted Iranian ship defied the blockade. Second, the nuclear deal standoff: Washington is pushing for a comprehensive deal, while Tehran insists the nuclear file is not part of the current talks, raising the risk that negotiations collapse if neither side compromises on uranium enrichment. Third, internal dynamics in Tehran: reports of leadership friction and IRGC influence over the negotiating team point to possible policy inconsistency or hardline escalation. Fourth, ceasefire fragility: despite the extended Israel-Lebanon truce, sporadic clashes and reported drone activity underline how easily a trigger event could occur.
Oil rose for a fifth day as limited US-Iran progress towards resumed de-escalation talks kept supply concerns elevated; Brent climbed above USD 106/bbl (vs weekly lows of ~ USD 91/bbl) and is set for its biggest weekly gain since the war’s first week. WTI June, however, remains sub-USD 100/bbl. Brent currently trades in a daily range between 105.02-107.31/bbl while WTI resides in a USD 95.55-97.85/bbl range.
Gold edged lower, below USD 4,970/oz, with investors weighing whether higher crude prices from the US-Iran conflict could keep inflation and interest rates elevated. XAU/USD resides in a USD 4,658.03-4,711.23/oz range at the time of writing.
Copper heads for a weekly loss, with the broader base metals complex also mostly under pressure, as uncertainty over the Middle East war clouds the global growth outlook, while the US and Iran show little sign of returning to talks after Trump extended the ceasefire indefinitely, and the Strait of Hormuz remained largely blocked. 3M LME copper resides in a USD 13,215.58- 13,322.33/t. LME aluminium spread experiences the largest backwardation since 2024.