Iran and the United States made "some but not conclusive progress" Friday in a fifth round of negotiations in Rome over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program, the talks' Omani mediator said.

ROME (AP) — Iran and the United States prepared for a fifth round of negotiations over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program Friday in Rome, with enrichment emerging as the key issue.

Iran's top commanders boasted readiness to respond to potential Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities amid near-zero progress in the negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

Depending on who you ask, a nuclear agreement between Iran and the United states is either a non-starter or almost a done deal.

Hedge funds boosted their bullish position on Brent crude by the most since early April as fading prospects for a quick US-Iran nuclear deal raised expectations that the OPEC member’s flows may be curtailed.

Crude oil prices extended their losses following reports that OPEC+ is considering a further production increase in July, ahead of US-Iran nuclear talks later today. Oil markets remain caught between escalating geopolitical tensions and persistent concerns over a potential oversupply.