DAVID GREENE, host: NPR's business news starts with oil prices and Iran.</s>DAVID GREENE, host: Iran's political turmoil has raised some questions about the impact on global oil markets. Prices have been moving up in recent months. Iran is one of the world's top oil producers. But some analysts say even if the government were to be toppled, they don't expect Iran's oil production or exports to shut down and reduce the world's supply. Crude oil prices actually drifted a bit lower today to about $68 a barrel, mostly on fears of continued economic weakness in the United States.
Prices fell on concerns over a weak U.S. economy and the dollar's rise, which tends to pull investors away from commodities. Analysts say the protests over the disputed presidential elections in Iran have not affected prices so far.