OIL prices rose again after talks between the US and Iran got off to a bumpy start.
Iran again announced it had closed the Strait of Hormuz, citing Israeli and US violations of the interim peace deal.
The number of ships passing through fell sharply.
Brent crude futures climbed 54 cents, or 0.67 per cent, to US$81.11 a barrel by 0030 GMT, after touching a high of US$82.30 at the start of trading.
Reports said that US President Donald Trump threatened to resume attacks on Iran even as US Vice President JD Vance met Iranian officials on Sunday for the first talks under an interim peace deal.
Tehran, meanwhile, said the US had failed to meet its commitment to halt fighting in Lebanon.
The US-Iran talks in Switzerland will continue until late Monday night, in an effort to end the conflict in the Middle East.
A US diplomat at the talks said the Iranian delegation was engaged in intensive discussions covering all elements of the nuclear deal, including issues related to the Strait of Hormuz and conflict prevention mechanisms to ensure the strategic shipping lane remains open.
This round of talks began in a tense atmosphere when the Iranian delegation walked out of the negotiation session in protest at Trump's threat to attack Iran following Tehran's support for Hezbollah. - June 22, 2026
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