Oman
Indirect talks between US and Iranian officials have begun in Oman. The negotiating team is led by Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi and Trump's special envoy Witkoff.
Oil prices rose more than 1% after a fall, but are heading for their first weekly decline in almost two months. Investors are focused on US-Iran talks.
The first round of diplomatic talks between the US and Iran began in Muscat on February 6. Tehran signals that the meeting is only the beginning of a long process with no quick resolution to the crisis.
Oil prices are falling after Tehran confirmed talks with Washington on February 6, 2026. WTI adjusted to $64, Brent is trading around $69 per barrel.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that Iran and the US will hold nuclear talks in Muscat on Friday. The talks will take place in Oman, not in Turkey, as previously planned.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the US is working to arrange a meeting with Iran this week. Iranian state television stated that the talks would take place in Oman.
Despite pressure, Russian oil supplies remain stable. China has become the largest buyer, increasing purchases, while India has reduced them to their lowest level in over three years.
Turkey seeks to organize direct talks between the US and Iran in Ankara or Istanbul. The goal is to prevent a US military strike on Iran over the suppression of protests.
US President Donald Trump is considering a new large-scale strike on Iran. This comes after talks on its nuclear program and ballistic missiles yielded no results.
The volume of Russian crude oil on tankers at sea has increased by 60 million barrels since late August due to reduced purchases by India. Russia is seeking alternative markets and using storage in Southeast Asia.
Indian refiners are changing their oil import strategy, reducing purchases from Russia and increasing supplies from the Middle East. This could help New Delhi conclude a trade deal with the United States and lower tariffs.
Donald Trump has invited a number of countries to his "Peace Council for Gaza" to implement a 20-point plan. The signing ceremony is scheduled for this Thursday in Davos.
Rising tensions between the US and Iran, as well as internal protests, pose a threat to the security of Tehran's nuclear assets. Experts are concerned about the loss of control over highly enriched uranium and possible sabotage at nuclear power plants.
At a UN Security Council meeting, the US warned Iran of its readiness for decisive action over the suppression of protests. Russia was the only country to support Iran, accusing the US of interference.
OPEC+ agreed to maintain stable oil production, despite an 18% price drop in 2025 and tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Eight countries raised their production targets by 2.9 million barrels per day from April to December 2025.
Bloomberg presented a review of the 11 most anticipated hotel properties scheduled to open in 2026. The list includes private island resorts and renovated historic palaces in major metropolises.
Western sanctions have reshaped India's oil trade, reducing its reliance on Russian oil. Imports from Russia decreased by 17.8% in January-October 2025, while imports from the US increased by 83.3% and from the UAE by 8.7%.
The Yemeni government and the Houthis have agreed to release 2,900 prisoners, the largest exchange in 11 years of civil war. The agreement, signed in Muscat with the support of the UN and the Red Cross, includes citizens of Saudi Arabia and Sudan.
Banks in a number of countries around the world have begun to massively block accounts of Russians and tighten checks on their transactions. This is happening after Russia was included in the list of high-risk countries by the European Commission.
Iranian authorities detained a foreign oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, which was carrying 6 million liters of smuggled fuel. There were 18 crew members on board the vessel, who were detained.
The crew of the Greek vessel attacked by Houthis in the Red Sea has been released. All 11 crew members, including Filipinos, a Russian, and an Indian, will arrive in Oman.
Botswana's President Boko confirmed the government's intention to acquire a controlling stake in the diamond company De Beers. The government has already initiated concrete steps to buy out shares from the British company Anglo American Plc.
Indian oil refining company Nayara Energy Ltd. , partially owned by Rosneft, is resuming operations and sales after a crisis caused by sanctions. The company is working with banks to simplify payments in local currency and is restoring its export network.
Increased military spending by NATO countries could lead to an additional 1320 million tons of planet-warming emissions. This is equivalent to Brazil's annual greenhouse gas emissions.
On July 21, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed new ambassadors to a number of countries and international organizations. Among the appointments are ambassadors to Kenya, Kuwait, Spain, Oman, Canada, Mexico, Cyprus, Malaysia, Belgium, Japan, Angola, Estonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, UAE, Algeria, and South Africa.
OPEC+ countries plan to approve a significant increase in oil production in September, completing the phased unwinding of voluntary cuts. The United Arab Emirates will also receive a larger production quota.
OPEC+ countries decided to accelerate the increase in oil production in August by 548 thousand barrels per day. Eight participating countries, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, confirmed their commitment to compensation and compliance with the Declaration of Cooperation.
Iranian military loaded naval mines onto vessels in the Persian Gulf last month after Israeli strikes, raising concerns in Washington about a possible blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. This preparation could indicate Tehran's serious intentions to block one of the world's busiest maritime routes.
From July 1, Ukrainians abroad can submit documents for notarial acts online through the "e-Consul" system. This innovation simplifies the process, allowing citizens to upload necessary data and certificates without a physical visit to diplomatic missions until the last step.
Investors assess the stability of the truce between Iran and Israel, which affects oil prices. Prices have risen but remain near multi-week lows on expectations that supplies will not be disrupted.