European stocks close higher amid Iran talks

European stocks ended higher on Friday after comments from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and reports in Iranian state media suggested movement in negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Bernama, citing dpa-AFX, said the gains came as investors grew more optimistic that the U.S.-Iran war could move toward an end through talks. The pan-European Stoxx 600 rose 0.73%, while Germany's DAX, France's CAC 40 and Britain's FTSE 100 also finished in positive territory. Data from Germany and company-specific gains added support to the session. ### Which European markets moved the most? The Stoxx 600 climbed 0.73% on Friday, according to Bernama's May 23 report citing dpa-AFX. Germany's DAX led the major benchmarks with a 1.15% gain, while France's CAC 40 rose 0.37% and Britain's FTSE 100 added 0.22%. Switzerland's SMI gained 0.42%. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and Turkey also closed higher, Bernama reported. Spain finished flat, while the Czech Republic, Norway, Portugal and Russia ended lower. ### What changed in the U.S.-Iran talks? Marco Rubio said there had been "some good signs" in the negotiations, according to Bernama's account of the dpa-AFX report. He also said he did not want to be "overly optimistic" and added that President Donald Trump had made clear the United States had "other options" if the two sides could not reach a "good deal." Iranian state media reports said the latest U.S. peace proposal had narrowed some of the gaps between the two countries, Bernama reported. The same report said major disagreements remained over Tehran's uranium stockpile and over future control of the Strait of Hormuz. ### Why would those talks matter to European shares? The Strait of Hormuz is a critical shipping route for global energy flows, and the Bernama report identified it as one of the unresolved issues in the talks. Markets often react to any sign that conflict around the route may ease because disruptions there can affect oil prices, shipping costs and inflation expectations. European equities were also getting help from domestic data. Bernama said improved German consumer sentiment and a slightly faster pace of economic growth supported market mood alongside the geopolitical headlines. ### Which stocks stood out inside the session? Games Workshop jumped nearly 8% in London after the company forecast annual profit before tax above expectations, Bernama reported. Rightmove rose 7.25% in the UK market. Those gains show the session was not driven only by geopolitics. Company earnings guidance and local economic releases were also part of the day's trading mix, according to the Bernama-dpa-AFX account. ### What should readers watch next? Marco Rubio's next public comments and any formal U.S. or Iranian statement on the latest proposal are likely to be the clearest near-term markers for markets. Bernama reported that the negotiations had made only "some progress," while key disputes over uranium and the Strait of Hormuz remained unresolved. The next trading sessions will also test whether Friday's move extends into a broader run for European equities. The Stoxx 600's 0.73% gain and the DAX's 1.15% rise set the latest reference points for investors watching whether diplomacy and regional data continue to support sentiment.