TOKYO, April 16 : Oil prices fell in early trade on Thursday as hopes for easing U.S.-Iran tensions, following reports that Iran could allow ships to pass through around the Strait of Hormuz, outweighed concerns over ongoing supply disruptions. Brent crude futures dropped 44 cents, or 0.5 per cent, to $94.49 a barrel at 0021 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures was down 70 cents, or 0.8 per cent, at $90.59 a barrel. Both benchmarks settled little changed on Wednesday.  The White