Dollar Steadies Amid Tensions: Market Hopes for Strait of Hormuz Disrupted
The dollar stabilized on Tuesday after hopes for a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz were dashed by new U.S. attacks on Iran. Despite market optimism, comments by U.S. officials suggested negotiations may take time. Oil prices and other currency values remained affected by the ongoing situation.
The dollar steadied on Tuesday as fresh U.S. attacks on Iranian targets dampened hopes for an imminent deal to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz trade route. The optimism that had pushed oil prices below $100 a barrel and bolstered emerging-market currencies began to fade amid the tensions.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that negotiations with Iran might extend for several days, following what Washington described as defensive strikes in southern Iran. The market reacted, with the euro staying mostly flat and the British pound declining after earlier gains. The dollar edged up slightly against a basket of major currencies.
Charu Chanana of Saxo Bank advised caution, noting that positive negotiation noise should not be mistaken for a lasting de-escalation. Meanwhile, Treasury yields dropped in response to continued geopolitical uncertainty. Energy supply chains remain strained, indicating that oil prices could take time to stabilize at lower levels.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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