Crude markets shift slightly amid Middle East developments

Crude oil prices edged down slightly on Friday morning as market participants evaluated geopolitical risks in the Middle East and potential US measures to ease restrictions on global shadow fleet tankers. Brent crude futures fell by forty-one cents to one hundred five dollars and fifty-one cents per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate futures dropped fifty-four cents to ninety-seven dollars and forty-three cents. US crude had gained over three percent at settlement in the previous session after a large drawdown in domestic crude inventories helped support prices, whereas Brent showed little change. Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency agreed on Thursday to release more than twenty million barrels of diesel into the market, alongside remaining emergency reserves agreed upon in March, aiming to boost supply and curb surging prices.