Markets Print edition: 2026-02-20

Middle Eastern bourses tumble on US-Iran tensions

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DUBAI: Gulf stock markets tumbled on Thursday as investors assessed efforts by the US and Iran to de-escalate tensions through talks over Tehran’s nuclear programme, even as both sides stepped up military activity in the region.

The White House said on Wednesday that this week’s Geneva talks with Iran yielded modest progress, though gaps persisted on certain issues.

Officials noted that Tehran is anticipated to return with additional details within the next two weeks.