London Stocks Rise on Hopes of Progress in US-Iran Talks
London stocks rose in early trade on Wednesday as oil prices fell on hopes of progress in US-Iran talks.
The FTSE 100 index was up 0.4% at 10,747.13, while Brent crude dipped 0.5% to $98.72 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate dropped 1.1% to $89.51 after news of the US-Iran talks.
US President Trump said Iranian officials held 'very good' three-hour talks with US special envoy Steve Witkoff on the sidelines of the UN Summit, describing them as 'very productive'. Trump also outlined a choice between making a deal with Iran that would let it rebuild or 'annihilate' it if no deal is reached.
'Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?' Trump said. 'There are two options; one could be a very bad thing, and the other could lead to greatness and progress for this country.'