Asian Stocks Rally as Iran Reports Progress in 60-Day US Peace Roadmap
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 22
Asian Stocks Rally as Iran Reports Progress in 60-Day US Peace Roadmap
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 22
Summary
Japan's Nikkei rose 1.9%, South Korea's market gained 2.6% and MSCI's Asia-Pacific ex-Japan index added 1.0% after Iranian negotiators said talks with Washington had made progress.
Qatar and Pakistan said the first session ended with a roadmap toward a final deal within 60 days, easing fears that the interim peace process was unraveling despite earlier U.S. threats of fresh attacks.
Brent crude slipped 0.4% to $80.17 a barrel and S&P 500 futures cut losses to 0.2%, even as Tehran again closed the Strait of Hormuz and ship traffic remained thin.
Treasury yields stayed elevated after the Fed's hawkish turn, with markets pricing a 75% chance of a September hike and 2-year yields touching 4.2276%, while sterling fell 0.2% on reports Keir Starmer may resign.
Will ignoring Iran's missile program mean today's market rally is paid for with tomorrow's instability?
With a key ally excluded from talks, could the US-Iran deal ignite a new conflict with Israel?
Is the $300 billion for Iran a lifeline for its people or a war chest for its regime?
60-Day Countdown: The US-Iran Preliminary Peace Deal and Its Unresolved Dangers
Overview
On June 21, 2026, U.S. President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a breakthrough memorandum of understanding to end a three-and-a-half-month conflict that claimed thousands of lives, hurt the global economy, and pushed millions into poverty. The agreement, announced after Trump’s signing and confirmed by a photo from Tehran, promises an immediate halt to military operations, lifts the U.S. naval blockade, and reopens the vital Strait of Hormuz. While the deal brings hope for peace and economic relief, its fragility is clear, as key issues remain unresolved and ongoing regional tensions threaten its success.