Most Gulf stock exchanges ended trading on Sunday with a decline, amid investor concern after a report stating that Iran is still closing the Strait of Hormuz, which increased uncertainty about the chances of reaching a settlement to end the war.








This coincided with the launch of talks in Switzerland between American and Iranian negotiators, in an attempt to end the conflict.

The Iranian “Tasnim” agency quoted a source close to the negotiating team that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed unless a ceasefire is adhered to in Lebanon and facilities are granted for Iranian oil exports, while American officials doubt the statements regarding the closure of the Strait.

In the markets, the main Saudi index fell by 0.4%, affected by the decline in the shares of the Saudi Arabian Mining Company by about 2%, and the decline in the shares of the National Bank of Saudi Arabia by 0.6%.

The Qatar index also fell by 0.3% due to the decline in Qatar National Bank shares by 0.8%.

On the other hand, the Bahrain index rose 0.1%, while the Oman and Kuwait indexes declined by 1.2% and 0.2%, respectively.

Outside the Gulf, Egypt’s leading stock index rose 0.1%. (Russia Today)