Sri Lanka, March 25 -- Oil prices have fallen sharply in early trade in Asia after US President Donald Trump said negotiations to end the war are in progress - a claim disputed by Iranian officials.

Brent crude fell by 6.6% to $97.56 (£72.65) a barrel, while US-traded oil fell by more than 5.5% to $87.20.

Trump said on Tuesday that talks to end the war are happening "now" and that the people the US were in discussions with "want to make a deal so badly".

On Monday, official in Tehran said claims of talks between the US and Iran were "fake news", as strikes between Israel and Iran continued to be exchanged.

Trump said Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were involved in the discussions to end the war.

The p...