Oil prices rose slightly in early Asian trade as fragile US-Iran negotiations revived worries about crude supply disruptions, especially around the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran’s response signaled deep differences, while reduced output from OPEC helped keep prices steady above $100. The US also plans SPR loans and sanctions targeting Iranian shipments to curb market pressure.
Gold and silver prices stayed largely unchanged on May 8, 2026, after a recent rise linked to easing inflation concerns and hopes of US Iran peace talks. Analysts suggest gold may climb toward $4,800 to $4,850, while silver could target $85. Traders are now waiting on key economic data to set the next move.
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Iran’s tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global shipping, stranding about 1,550 ships and 22,500 mariners in the Persian Gulf. The shutdown is already reverberating through the world economy as fuel prices surge and multiple sectors brace for higher costs. Iran says the strait will reopen only if the war and blockade end, while the US is reportedly pressing for broader concessions, including nuclear rollback.
Indian benchmarks opened lower on Thursday, April 30, with the Sensex down 0.62% and the Nifty 50 slipping 0.75% to 23,996.95. The move followed US President Donald Trump rejecting Tehran’s peace plan, sending mixed signals across global markets and weighing on investor sentiment in India.
Donald Trump said “Project Freedom” begins Monday to help stranded neutral ships exit the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed. The announcement came as Tehran reviews Washington’s response to a war-ending proposal, with Trump adding that talks with Tehran “could be very positive” while sharing few operational details.
Indian government bonds ended little changed after a mid-session pullback as trading sentiment weakened. The pressure followed US President Donald Trump cancelling a visit by envoys to Islamabad for peace talks, pushing crude oil prices higher and reducing optimism for a diplomatic breakthrough. Traders will now watch for further signals on geopolitics and oil moves.
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Oil prices rose almost 3% as US-Iran peace talks stalled and limited shipments through the Strait of Hormuz tightened global supply. Traders turned cautious, pricing in the risk that disruptions could persist even without a major escalation. With tanker flows constrained, crude markets found support from supply concerns and uncertainty over negotiations.
Fresh US and Iran talks aim to end a two-month conflict, but negotiators enter with hardened positions and little trust. The latest push follows the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal under Donald Trump, which fueled the current standoff. With global stakes rising and approaches clashing, a quick breakthrough looks increasingly unlikely.
European stocks opened subdued as investors balanced a heavy calendar of central bank meetings and corporate earnings with uncertainty from stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations. With markets watching for policy signals and fresh profit outlooks, traders stayed cautious, reflecting how diplomacy and corporate guidance are steering sentiment this week.
Australian shares fell for a fifth straight session, dragged down by stalled US Iran peace talks that cooled risk appetite. Financials led the downturn as investors brace for softer earnings amid higher rates and cost pressures. Miners were the lone bright spot, supported by a weaker US dollar that lifted gold and sentiment for the sector.
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Gold and silver prices eased on the MCX on April 27, driven by profit booking even as hopes for US-Iran peace talks supported sentiment. A slight dip in the US dollar offered some cushion for bullion. Meanwhile, crude oil climbed more than 1%, adding volatility to commodities and influencing market pricing for yellow and 999 silver.
Oil prices surged to a three week high after stalled US Iran peace talks kept Middle East energy exports disrupted. US stock futures eased and the dollar ticked up slightly. Traders expect central banks to keep rates steady amid inflation concerns, while investors look ahead to major tech earnings that could swing sentiment.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi returned to Pakistan just a day after talks concluded in Oman, fueling questions over whether diplomacy between Tehran and Washington has hit another snag. In Islamabad, he met top military and civilian leadership including the army chief, foreign minister Ishaq Dar, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The discussions reportedly covered bilateral ties and wider regional developments.
Pakistan has lifted traffic restrictions in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, allowing heavy movement of essentials and resuming physical university classes. The change follows the cancellation of a planned second round of US-Iran talks in which Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan without meeting US negotiators. Araghchi called the visit fruitful and praised Pakistan’s role in regional peace.
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US President Donald Trump said he has unilaterally cancelled a planned trip by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad for delegation-level peace talks involving Iran in Pakistan. Trump complained the trip would mean enduring “18 hour flights” without progress, adding the US holds leverage and that Iran can contact Washington instead, effectively sidelining the in-person effort.
Oil prices fell modestly as investors reassessed the outlook for US-Iran peace talks, leaving traders cautious. Brent crude eased 0.2% to $98.27 a barrel after earlier climbing to $99.38, while West Texas Intermediate slipped 0.3% to $89.39 after peaking near $90.71. Momentum shifted as uncertainty returned.
Gold prices stayed steady after a dip as investors waited for clarity on potential US-Iran peace talks. Fresh weekend tensions, including the Strait of Hormuz being re-closed, had recently pressured markets. Adding another layer, Trump’s Fed nominee said monetary policy should remain independent—keeping traders focused on both geopolitics and central bank signals.
Islamabad is in a week-long security lockdown despite no clear timeline for expected US-Iran peace talks. Major roads are sealed, the city’s administrative center remains cordoned off, and commuters and businesses face disruption. Residents are left in uncertainty as officials prepare for delegates to arrive with little warning, underscoring the heavy social and logistical costs of prolonged crackdowns.
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Oil prices dipped slightly after earlier sharp gains as US-Iran peace talks stalled and restrictions continued around the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the disruption to key shipping routes, U.S. oil exports reportedly climbed to a record high, supported by rising global demand linked to supply shocks tied to the Iran conflict.
Indian government bonds eased after a recent rally, with investors turning cautious ahead of upcoming debt auctions. At the same time, shifting US Iran peace talk expectations added uncertainty for risk appetite, pushing bond yields higher. The combination of heavy supply expectations and global geopolitical developments kept demand muted and helped reverse earlier gains in the market.
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