Market still hopeful for US-Iran peace talks, Asian stocks mostly close higher
International oil prices fell and Asian stock markets generally rose amid hopes for peace talks between the US and Iran to end the Middle East conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, despite Tehran's indecision on attending. As a two-week ceasefire nears its end, the US Vice President expressed readiness for new negotiations in Pakistan. Market optimism was fueled by the view that ending the conflict benefits both sides.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 21, 2026 at 18:48
- 🔍 Collected: April 21, 2026 at 19:02 (13 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 01:31 (6h 29m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Hong Kong, 21st, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Despite Tehran's undecided stance on attending peace talks, the market remains hopeful for a deal between the United States and Iran to end the Middle East war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. International oil prices fell today, and Asian stock markets generally rose.
Agence France-Presse reported that as the two-week ceasefire deadline approaches, the White House stated that Vice President JD Vance is prepared to return to Pakistan for a new round of negotiations. This conflict has caused international oil prices to soar, reigniting inflation concerns.
However, Iran's position remains unclear. Tehran accused Washington of blockading its ports and seizing ships, violating the already fragile ceasefire agreement between the two sides.
US President Trump also criticized Tehran for harassing ships in the Strait of Hormuz, violating the ceasefire agreement. Approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and natural gas shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said in an interview with PBS that Iran 'should attend' the talks in Pakistan. He warned that if the ceasefire agreement expires, 'then a lot of bombs will start going off.' He also told Bloomberg that it is 'highly unlikely' he will extend the ceasefire.
According to the start time of the agreement, theoretically, the ceasefire will expire late on the 21st, Iran time. However, Trump told Bloomberg that the deadline should be the evening of the 22nd, Washington time.
Michael Brown, an analyst at Australian financial services firm Pepperstone Group, pointed out that with declining domestic support for the war in the United States and Iran facing existential pressure, ending the conflict is in the interests of both parties.
Asian stocks generally closed higher today, with stock markets in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Wellington, and Manila all closing up. Stock markets in Sydney and Jakarta closed down. (Editor: Liu Shu-qin) 1150421
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(Central News Agency, Hong Kong, 21st, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Despite Tehran's undecided stance on attending peace talks, the market remains hopeful for a deal between the United States and Iran to end the Middle East war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. International oil prices fell today, and Asian stock markets generally rose.
Agence France-Presse reported that as the two-week ceasefire deadline approaches, the White House stated that Vice President JD Vance is prepared to return to Pakistan for a new round of negotiations. This conflict has caused international oil prices to soar, reigniting inflation concerns.
However, Iran's position remains unclear. Tehran accused Washington of blockading its ports and seizing ships, violating the already fragile ceasefire agreement between the two sides.
US President Trump also criticized Tehran for harassing ships in the Strait of Hormuz, violating the ceasefire agreement. Approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and natural gas shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said in an interview with PBS that Iran 'should attend' the talks in Pakistan. He warned that if the ceasefire agreement expires, 'then a lot of bombs will start going off.' He also told Bloomberg that it is 'highly unlikely' he will extend the ceasefire.
According to the start time of the agreement, theoretically, the ceasefire will expire late on the 21st, Iran time. However, Trump told Bloomberg that the deadline should be the evening of the 22nd, Washington time.
Michael Brown, an analyst at Australian financial services firm Pepperstone Group, pointed out that with declining domestic support for the war in the United States and Iran facing existential pressure, ending the conflict is in the interests of both parties.
Asian stocks generally closed higher today, with stock markets in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Wellington, and Manila all closing up. Stock markets in Sydney and Jakarta closed down. (Editor: Liu Shu-qin) 1150421
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.