Iranian officials pessimistic on US deal before midterms

Iranian officials privately see little prospect of reaching a US agreement to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz before the Nov. 3 midterms, according to a Bloomberg report. Talks in New York made limited progress, with nuclear concessions and reopening Hormuz remaining key sticking points. Negotiations through mediators continue, but fading hopes for a near-term breakthrough helped push Brent crude above $106.