Crude oil futures plunge $2/b as Iran nuclear deal nears

Crude oil futures were sharply lower in mid-morning Asian trade Feb. 17 as Iranian nuclear talks were nearing a deal, while US crude oil stocks unexpectedly rose last week. Physical crude, though, was seen surpassing $100/b. The bearish developments overshadowed reports of a build up of Russian forces on the Ukrainian border, contrary to Moscow’s claims of a pullback. At…