Oil prices slide after Rubio says that Trump would prefer to resolve Iran war 'peacefully'

Oil prices dropped on Monday as reports that talks between the U.S. and Iran may be making progress. 

West Texas Intermediate, the American benchmark price, fell more than 6% to $97.21 per barrel between Sunday and Monday morning, according to Oilprice.com. Brent Crude, the European benchmark, also saw its price fall a similar amount. 

Speaking to the press this weekend, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that President Donald Trump hasn't made a decision while negotiations with Iran are continuing, but a military response is something America is prepared to do. 

"We would have the ability to do it, and we really, we have everything we need to be successful," Rubio said, adding that the Trump administration would prefer to resolve the conflict "peacefully," International Business Times reported. 

Speaking to Ride Side Broadcasting Network on Sunday, Trump's remarks were more ambiguous, stating that the U.S. will soon end the war "one way or another." 

"We've had such a victory, and we'll put it away very soon, one way or the other. Either they'll make a deal, or we'll just end it," Trump said. 

Iranian negotiators left peace talks with Qatari mediators on Sunday, apparently not because the discussions fell apart. A draft proposal is now circulating with a follow-up meeting possible, Reuters reported, citing an unnamed official who was briefed on the talks.