(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 17 apr - European shares closed broadly higher as investors welcomed signs of easing geopolitical tensions.

Oil prices slumped after Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz 'completely open' following a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

"In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran," Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted on X.

US president Donald Trump said 'the war in Iran is going along swimmingly,' adding 'it should be ending pretty soon.' He also confirmed that a second round of talks between US and Iranian officials could take place 'probably, maybe, next weekend.' The president however noted that the US naval blockade would remain place for the time being.

On the data front, the eurozone's trade in goods surplus narrowed to 11.5 billion euros in February, down from 23.1 billion a year earlier, as exports fell 6.7%. Additionally, the European Central Bank reported that the bloc's current account surplus shrank to 25 billion euros in February from 40 billion in January.

The London FTSE 100 closed up 0.73% at 10,667.63 points, the Frankfurt DAX jumped 2.39% at 24,726.75 points, the Paris CAC 40 rose 1.97% at 8,425.13 points, while in Milan the FTSE MIB added 1.75% at 48,869.43 points, and in Madrid the IBEX 35.

closed 2.09% higher at 18,472.21 points.

(RADIOCOR) 17-04-26 18:30:00 (0613) 5 NNNN