European markets set to open higher despite US-Iran negotiations stalling

European stocks were set to open higher on Monday as investors digested stalled US-Iran negotiations and the market fallout from rising oil prices.

Euronews reported that Germany’s DAX, France’s CAC 40, Italy’s FTSE MIB and the UK’s FTSE 100 were expected to open in positive territory. Reuters said oil prices rose and U.S. stock futures slipped after weekend talks between the U.S. and Iran stalled.

Reuters also reported that Brent crude touched a three-week high as traders worried about shipping through the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. That has kept energy risks in focus even as equities showed resilience ahead of the European open.

The moves come with central banks still in the background. The European Central Bank kept rates unchanged on March 19 and said the Middle East war had made the outlook more uncertain and lifted near-term inflation risks through higher energy prices. The Bank of England also held Bank Rate at 3.75% in March, with its next decision due on April 30.

For now, the main question is whether early gains hold after the opening bell, or whether another shift in U.S.-Iran diplomacy changes risk sentiment again later in the session.