Oil prices declined amid signs of progress in U.S.-Iran diplomatic talks and efforts to restore operations at a key Saudi Arabian pipeline. Brent crude fell below $100, trading at $99.13 after reaching $108 in mid-September and having earlier been reported at $100.34, while WTI fell to approximately $95.78. A Qatari mediator was holding talks with U.S. officials in New York, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was scheduled to address the UN General Assembly later that day. The retreat removed the remaining energy-driven inflation concern that followed the Federal Reserve's Sept. 16 rate rise. Lower oil prices pressured oil-sensitive currencies. USD/CAD traded around 1.4025, while the euro moved toward $1.14 and reached its lowest level since July 29 as traders reduced expectations for further European Central Bank rate hikes. The U.S. dollar remained supported by expectations of additional Federal Reserve tightening, with the dollar index rising 0.21% to 100.76. ECB official Joachim Nagel left open the possibility of further rate increases because core inflation remained high, while Chief Economist Philip Lane warned that another energy-price surge could prolong elevated eurozone inflation. Stronger-than-expected flash PMI data showed eurozone private-sector activity expanding in September at its fastest pace in almost three-and-a-half years. Crypto markets remained among the few areas attracting bids, but gains narrowed. The CoinDesk 100 rose 0.67% to 1,926.99, with 38 of its 100 constituents lower on the day, although 87 were higher and 13 lower over 24 hours. XRP gained 3.3% to $1.62, while major cryptocurrencies diverged; Bitcoin Cash was also referenced in comparisons of major assets. Gold fell 0.85% to $4,321, silver declined 2.2% to $65.53, and U.S. equity futures were little changed. Prediction-market pricing put the probability of crude reaching a new all-time high by September 30 at 0.5%, down from 1% the previous day. Market participants were expected to monitor further U.S.-Iran developments, OPEC and International Energy Agency announcements, Saudi pipeline restoration efforts, currency movements and crypto breadth. The source also promoted live prediction-market analysis powered by Vera and invited readers to sign up for Vera.