Tokyo: The dollar held firm at its strongest level of the week against most major currencies at the start of Asian trading today, as the United States resumed strikes on Iran, reigniting geopolitical tensions and sending oil prices higher.
According to Oman News Agency, the dollar index, which tracks the US currency against a basket of six major currencies, traded at 101.18 - its highest since 2 July 2026. Brent crude rose 2.6 percent to $76.12 a barrel at the start of Asian trading, extending gains for a second day.
The New Zealand dollar rose 0.1 percent to $0.5681, while the dollar gained 0.1 percent against the yen to 162.28 yen. The euro eased 0.1 percent to $1.1405, while sterling slipped 0.1 percent to $1.3353. The Australian dollar held steady at $0.6926.
Bitcoin edged down 0.2 percent to $63,518.35, while Ether fell 0.5 percent to $1,774.45.