Pakistan, March 18 -- Oil prices softened on Wednesday after Iraq and Kurdish authorities reached an agreement to resume crude exports via Turkey's Ceyhan port, providing some relief amid persistent Middle East supply disruptions. Brent futures remained above $100 per barrel, reflecting ongoing geopolitical tensions and uncertainty in global energy markets.

Brent crude fell 67 cents, or 0.65%, to $102.75 per barrel by early Wednesday, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate dropped $1.18, or 1.23%, to $95.03. Analysts noted that the deal offers limited relief as overall Middle East exports remain constrained.

Iraq's Oil Minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani confirmed that crude flows from Ceyhan were expected to start Wednesday morning, aiming to pump ...