The price of Brent crude oil has risen back above $100 a barrel, after plunging on Monday, as conflicting accounts of potential talks between US and Iran emerged.
On Tuesday in Asia, the oil benchmark rose by 4% to $103.94 (£77.57) a barrel, while Nymex Light Sweet was 4.1% higher at $91.75.
The price of Brent had fallen by more than 10% on Monday after US President Donald Trump delayed threatened strikes on Iranian power plants, saying Washington had "productive" conversations with Tehran.
But Tehran rejected claims that it had been in contact with Washington, calling them an attempt to manipulate markets.
On Saturday, Trump had said that he would "obliterate" Iranian power plants if the key Strait of Hormuz shipping route was not reopened in 48 hours, with Iran saying it would respond by targeting key infrastructure in the region.
