European stocks post slim gains as markets assess US-Iran fallout

European stocks opened modestly higher as investors weigh fresh U.S. strikes on Iran ahead of a closely watched inflation report. By 03:03 ET, the STOXX 600 had risen 0.16%, with Germany’s DAX up 0.4%, France’s CAC 40 up 0.2%, and Italy’s FTSE MIB 0.5% higher; London's FTSE 100 was flat. Brent crude rose about 1%. Risk sentiment remained cautious as markets weigh whether the pause in regional tensions will hold and await the ECB’s Thursday decision alongside May U.S. CPI data due at 08:30 ET, expected around 4.2% year-on-year. WH Smith fell nearly 16% after cutting its profit forecast; Pennon slipped about 4% after full-year results.