Oil prices fell while stocks surged on Friday as a Middle East peace deal appeared more likely than ever.
Asian stock markets surged and oil prices receded on Friday, boosted by optimism that the United States and Iran will reach a deal to end their war that has hobbled global energy supplies.
Oil markets have whipsawed this week as investors parse the chances of a breakthrough agreement between Washington and Tehran that could potentially resume normal shipping through the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
Those hopes had been briefly dashed by new US military strikes on Iran Wednesday night, countered by Tehran's Revolutionary Guard's targeting of an American airbase in the region.
But by Thursday evening, negotiators had edged toward a deal to extend their fragile ceasefire for 60 days, though approval from President Donald Trump was still needed, US sources told AFP.
