Muscat: The dollar today advanced against most major currencies as renewed attacks in the Middle East reignited inflation fears and strengthened expectations of interest rate hikes by central banks. Against the yen, the dollar rose 0.1 percent to 161.92 yen. The euro slipped 0.1 percent to $1.1403, while sterling also eased 0.1 percent to $1.3383.

According to Oman News Agency, the Australian dollar fell 0.1 percent to $0.6942, while its New Zealand counterpart declined 0.1 percent to $0.5757. US and Iranian forces launched intense missile and drone strikes over the weekend. Oil prices surged as Asian trading resumed, with Brent crude futures jumping 3.3 percent to $78.49 a barrel.

The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, held at 101.07 after rising as much as 0.2 percent from Friday's close to its strongest level since 8 July. Bitcoin fell 0.6 percent to $63,770.42, while Ether declined 1.1 percent to $1,801.28.