Brent crude climbed above $85 a barrel in intraday trading, reaching its highest level since Aug. 4, as a lack of progress in US-Iran negotiations brought Middle East supply risk back into focus. Odaily reported on Aug. 10 that Brent rose as much as 4.31% during the session. BlockBeats, citing former US Department of Defense official Mick Mulroy, said the two sides had made no progress, with divisions persisting over the nuclear dispute, security agreements and regional influence. Iran said it was close to an agreement on reopening the Strait of Hormuz (a key Gulf oil shipping chokepoint) with Oman, but it would not restart direct talks with the US until related conditions are met.