Hopes for US-Iran Peace Talks Rise, Asian Stocks Follow US Market Gains

(Central News Agency, Hong Kong, 16th, comprehensive foreign report) Optimism for an extended ceasefire and new peace talks between the United States and Iran, as well as the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, rose, leading Asian stock markets to mostly close higher today, following gains in US stocks.

According to AFP, the latest US corporate earnings reports were strong, showing the resilience of the US economy despite soaring oil prices and inflationary pressures, with major US stock indices mostly rising.

As the Middle East crisis enters its seventh week, officials from Washington and Tehran are reportedly holding a second round of peace talks in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.

Iran had earlier threatened to close the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Gulf of Oman if the US did not lift President Donald Trump's naval blockade on Iranian ports.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told the media that subsequent talks are "very likely" to take place in Islamabad, noting that both sides are indeed continuing dialogue and "we are quite optimistic about the prospects for an agreement."

US Vice President JD Vance, who led the first round of US-Iran talks, indicated that the US had presented Iran with a "significant agreement" proposal aimed at ending the conflict.

As the Middle East war disrupts commodity markets and drives up prices, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stated in its latest "World Economic Outlook" report that this year's global economic growth is estimated at 3.1%, a significant downward revision from the 3.3% forecast in January, and warned that the Middle East war could "derail" the global economy.

In Asian markets, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei, and Seoul stock markets closed higher, while Sydney and Wellington stock markets closed lower; Manila stock market was largely flat compared to the previous day. (Compiler: Hung Chi-yuan) 1150416