FX.co ★ Dollar Holds Gains on Diplomatic Uncertainty

The dollar index hovered near 99.6 on Thursday after gains in the previous session, as investors continued to track developments in the Middle East amid persistent uncertainty surrounding efforts to end the war with Iran. The White House said negotiations remain ongoing, with the Trump administration reportedly having sent a 15-point plan to Iran via Pakistan in an attempt to resolve the conflict. Senior Iranian officials are reviewing the US proposal but have signaled no intention of engaging in direct talks with Washington. Tehran indicated it would reject a US ceasefire offer and instead put forward its own five-point plan, which would grant it control over the Strait of Hormuz. Conflict-related disruptions have driven energy prices higher, stoking inflation concerns and bolstering expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates unchanged for the rest of the year. Investors now await the latest weekly jobless claims data due Thursday for fresh insight into labor market conditions.