President Trump Signals US-Iran Deal Progress as Oil Drops and Crypto Markets Rise

President Donald Trump said Thursday that a US-Iran deal is “looking very good,” with negotiations between Washington and Tehran set to resume this weekend ahead of the current ceasefire’s expiration.

The remarks came as oil prices slipped, US equities pushed to record territory, and crypto markets posted modest gains on renewed diplomatic optimism.

US Iran Ceasefire Talks Gain Momentum

Vice President JD Vance led last weekend’s negotiations with Iranian officials in Islamabad, though those discussions ended without a formal agreement. Meanwhile, a recent ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has added to the sense of progress, though concerns remain.

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Abas Aslani, a senior research fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies in Tehran, called the Lebanon truce a “promising” signal that a broader deal may be within reach.

“Iran has been seriously insisting on its core demand that a ceasefire needs to be inclusive, not just limited to Iran but other parts of the region, including Lebanon,” he told Al Jazeera.

However, Gulf Arab and European leaders believe a final deal could take roughly six months to negotiate, as per Bloomberg. Those officials are pushing to extend the ceasefire to cover that timeline.

They also want the Strait of Hormuz reopened immediately to restore energy flows. They are warning privately that a global food crisis could develop if the waterway remains blocked through next month.

Markets Respond With Cautious Optimism

Despite the uncertainty, experts suggest that extreme-scenario risks have eased. The markets reflect this. Oil and fuel prices declined across the board on Friday.

WTI crude fell 1.51% to $93.26, while Brent dropped 1.12% to $98.28. Gasoline eased 0.17% to $3.16, and heating oil slipped 0.43% to $3.82.

US equities opened higher, extending a rally that pushed the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to new all-time highs this week. The former index rose roughly 0.26%, while the Nasdaq gained 0.36%. The Dow Jones added 0.25%.

Crypto markets also moved higher, gaining nearly 1% over the past 24 hours. Bitcoin (BTC) held near $74,650 as large-cap digital assets posted modest gains in the same timeframe.

Now, the upcoming weekend’s talks and ceasefire deadline will test whether both sides can maintain momentum toward a lasting resolution.

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