European stocks opened mostly higher on Thursday, echoing gains in global equities, buoyed by continued hopes for an imminent resolution to the war with Iran.
By 11:05 (10:05 GMT), the pan-European Stoxx 600 index was up 0.2%, France's CAC 40 was up 0.1%, the UK's FTSE 100 was up 0.2%, while Germany's Dax was down slightly by 0.1%.
Mediators are continuing their tireless efforts to broker a permanent cessation of hostilities between the United States and Iran, as a temporary two-week ceasefire draws to a close later this month.
Washington and Tehran have agreed in principle to hold new talks after the first round of negotiations last weekend in Pakistan failed to produce an immediate agreement, according to The Wall Street Journal. The newspaper quoted officials familiar with the matter as saying that the two sides have not yet set a date or location for the meeting.
Vice President J.D. Vance is slated to lead the U.S. delegation in any future discussions with the Iranians, the Wall Street Journal reported.
However, signs of friction remained, most notably the ongoing US naval blockade of Iranian ports. A senior Iranian military commander warned Washington against continuing the blockade, which US Central Command claimed had not been circumvented by any commercial vessels or oil tankers linked to Iran.
Oil prices rose slightly, remaining below the $100 mark but still well above pre-war levels.
