Oil prices fell, with global benchmark Brent crude dropping 1.5 per cent, after US President Donald Trump said he had paused a planned attack on Iran to allow for negotiations to end the war in the Middle East, AFP reports.

Brent futures for July were down $1.73, or 1.5pc, at $110.37 a barrel at 0825 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude for June delivery, which expires on Tuesday, slipped 63 cents, or 0.60pc, to $108.03. The more active July contract fell 82 cents, or 0.8pc, to $103.56.

Opinion

Editorial

Reflection time
Updated 25 Jun, 2026

Reflection time

Israel is the biggest source of instability in the Middle East, and it is high time the US ended its blind support to Tel Aviv, if it genuinely wants peace in the region.
Raised temperatures
25 Jun, 2026

Raised temperatures

THE fraught situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir requires immense patience and cool heads. Temperatures are raised on...
Debatable remedy
25 Jun, 2026

Debatable remedy

THE Pakistan Psychiatric Society’s challenge to the Federal Shariat Court’s ruling on attempted suicide deserves...
Pezeshkian’s visit
Updated 24 Jun, 2026

Pezeshkian’s visit

Perhaps a good place to start would be the resumption of work on the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline.
Telecom bill
24 Jun, 2026

Telecom bill

THERE is now no question about it: the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill of 2026 is a...
Updating Islamabad
24 Jun, 2026

Updating Islamabad

ISLAMABAD is growing rapidly. Its planning, however, remains stuck in bureaucratic limbo. Despite years of ...