European Shares Dip as US-Iran Negotiations Falter

European equities moved lower on Monday as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East intensified following the collapse of negotiations between the United States and Iran. Market sentiment was further pressured by Washington's decision to implement a naval blockade around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy supplies. The pan-European STOXX 600 index declined 0.2% to finish at 613.88 points, though it remains closer to its pre-conflict levels than the lows recorded in mid-March.