Copper maintained its upward trajectory, trading near $13,680 a ton on the London Metal Exchange after climbing over 1% on Friday. The industrial metal held gains as investors parsed mixed signals from Middle East negotiations aimed at ending three months of conflict.

President Donald Trump indicated US-Iran talks were proceeding well, while Pakistani military chief Asim Munir suggested an agreement was close. These comments supported copper prices, which have approached record highs this month on hopes that regional stability could ease inflationary pressures.

Market optimism dimmed after US Central Command reported strikes on Iranian missile sites and mining vessels, reportedly killing several personnel. The conflicting developments highlighted the fragile nature of ongoing negotiations.

Beyond geopolitical factors, copper faces strong demand from artificial intelligence infrastructure. The metal is essential for data centers powering AI projects, creating a dual support from both macroeconomic stability hopes and technological consumption. Aluminum slipped 0.2% while zinc rose 0.7% in early trading.