Oil prices have risen over one per cent, after Reuters earlier reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader has issued a directive that the country’s enriched uranium should not be sent abroad.

Brent crude futures have gained $1.39, or 1.3pc, to $106.41 a barrel by 1037 GMT, and US West Texas Intermediate futures has increased $1.56, or 1.6pc, to $99.82. Both were trading lower before the report.

Both benchmarks dropped around 5.6pc on Wednesday to their lowest in more than a week after Trump said talks with Iran were in the final stages.

Opinion

Editorial

Yemen offensive
Updated 04 Oct, 2026

Yemen offensive

The best option, therefore, is for Muslim and Arab states to help restore the Saudi-Houthi ceasefire.
Growth transition
04 Oct, 2026

Growth transition

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent call to move from stabilisation to growth, job creation and export ...
Protection at risk
04 Oct, 2026

Protection at risk

THE recent warning from UNHCR should alarm donor governments. Nearly 8.3m refugees and other forcibly displaced...
Talks, at last
Updated 03 Oct, 2026

Talks, at last

The government’s constant threats to suspend KP’s elected dispensation over a political protest have escalated hostilities considerably. In that context, both sides did well to start talking.
IWT’s future
Updated 03 Oct, 2026

IWT’s future

TOGETHER with the Kashmir dispute, India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty has become the biggest...
Pained minds
03 Oct, 2026

Pained minds

IN Pakistan, mental healthcare is wedged between two extremes — a luxury or a stigma. Estimates cited by the...