Gulf stocks mixed amid confusion over US-Iran talks

Gulf markets ended mixed on Tuesday, with Qatar extending losses while other bourses steadied as investors parsed conflicting signals on potential US-Iran talks, reports Reuters.
Sentiment was volatile after US President Donald Trump delayed strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure and talked of "productive" discussions to end the U.S-Israeli war with Iran, but Tehran dismissed that comment as "fake news".
The US will continue strikes on Iran, with the pause applying only to energy sites, Semafor reported, citing a US official. Israel was not part of Washington's contacts with Tehran, the report added.
The conflict has driven sharp rises in energy prices, disrupted air travel and ?hit shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz route for oil and LNG exports.
Dubai's main index rose as much as 4 per cent before closing 1.6 per cent higher, lifted by gains in heavyweight real estate and banking stocks.