Most Gulf markets inch higher on hopes of US-Iran peace talks

DUBAI: Most Gulf equity markets ended marginally higher on Tuesday, supported by reports that Iran is considering attending peace talks with the United States, raising cautious hopes for diplomacy as the two-week ceasefire nears its end.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday that Tehran was “positively reviewing” participating in the talks in Pakistan, which is making efforts to US blockade of Iranian ports, which has emerged as a major obstacle to reviving negotiations.

However, the official stressed that no final decision had been taken, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said continued US violations of the ceasefire remained a serious impediment to the diplomatic process.