Prosper Okoye
Global shares slipped and oil prices fell on Tuesday after Iran offered a cautiously positive response in nuclear talks with US officials in Geneva, easing tensions that had surged following President Donald Trump’s recent threats.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said “a new window of opportunity has opened” and expressed hope that negotiations would lead to a sustainable solution, while stressing that Iran remains fully prepared to defend itself against any act of aggression.
West Texas Intermediate slipped 0.2% to $62.75 per barrel, and Brent North Sea Crude fell 1.4% to $67.64, after earlier gains following Trump’s warnings. Analysts noted speculation that Iran could dilute its highly enriched uranium in exchange for full sanctions relief, but said it remained unclear whether this would be enough to secure a deal.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelWall Street opened lower, with the Nasdaq down 1%, the Dow falling 0.3%, and the S&P 500 declining 0.2%. European markets steadied, with London’s FTSE 100 and Frankfurt’s DAX both posting modest gains, while Tokyo closed slightly lower. Chinese markets remained shut for Lunar New Year.
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In currency markets, the US dollar strengthened against the British pound and euro after official UK data showed unemployment rising to a five-year high, increasing expectations of a possible interest rate cut by the Bank of England. The greenback fell slightly against the yen.
Meanwhile, Germany’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce warned that Europe’s largest economy is unlikely to rebound in 2026 as geopolitical uncertainty, high costs, and weak domestic demand continue to weigh on growth.
The developments come as investors closely monitor geopolitical tensions and energy markets, which remain sensitive to any shift in Iran-US relations.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
