Oil falls further in Asia with Iran deal close

[SINGAPORE] Oil prices tumbled further in Asia on Tuesday on signs of an imminent deal between Iran and western powers that would allow Iranian crude to flow back into the already saturated global market.

A strong US currency has also made the dollar-priced commodity more expensive, denting demand, analysts said.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for August delivery fell 46 cents to US$51.74 and Brent crude for August eased 32 cents to US$57.53 in late morning Asian trade.

"It seems that a deal is already in the final stages of being signed," said Daniel Ang, an investment analyst with Phillip Futures in Singapore, referring to long-running talks between Iran and major western powers in Vienna.

"This is probably the biggest issue for the week for the oil market," he told AFP.

The intense negotiations in the Austrian capital ran into the early hours on Tuesday as signs emerged that an agreement is close.

Foreign ministers of the six powers were expected to hold a potentially final meeting on Tuesday morning ahead of a planned announcement that would bring to a close an 18-day push to strike an accord.

The agreement seeks to curb what the west suspects are Iranian attempts to build a nuclear bomb and lead to a lifting of punishing economic sanctions, which have choked Tehran's oil exports.

Analysts say that a return of Iranian crude to the market will worsen the current oversupply and further depress prices.

Adding to downward pressure, the dollar strengthened in Asian trade against the yen and euro after Greece reached a new bailout deal to keep it in the eurozone, making it easier for the US Federal Reserve to begin lifting interest rates.

The central bank had been concerned about announcing a hike while there was the possibility of a Greek euro exit, which would hit the global economy.

AFP