08:17 AM EDT, 05/23/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were edging lower pre-bell Friday as traders monitored the US-Iran negotiations over nuclear policy.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 1.4%, S&P 500 futures were declining 1.5%, and Nasdaq futures were 1.7% lower.

US and Iranian negotiators are expected to resume talks in Rome Friday to discuss Tehran's nuclear program.

Oil prices were lower, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude down 1.3% at $63.60 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 1.4% lower at $60.33 per barrel.

New home sales report, slated for 10 am ET release, are seen dropping to a 694,000 annual rate for April from 724,000 previously, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.