Major European Markets Close Weak Amid US-Iran Peace Talks Uncertainty

European stocks closed weak on Friday amid cautious moves by investors due to uncertainty about U.S. and Iran securing a lasting peace in the Middle East after talks in Switzerland were canceled following renewed hostilities. The pan European Stoxx 600 fell 0.24%, with the UK's FTSE 100 down 0.35%, Germany's DAX down 0.16%, and France's CAC 40 down 0.55%; Switzerland's SMI edged up 0.06%. In the UK, mining shares led declines while mixed results across regions kept gains and losses in balance. Notable moves included Antofagasta (-6.1%), Fresnillo (-4.65%), Endeavour Mining (-3.3%), Anglo American (-2.63%), and Rio Tinto (-2.57%). BP rose 2.81%, with National Grid up 1.8%. In Germany, Volkswagen fell 4.3% and MTU Aero Engines about 2.5% lower, while Rheinmetall rose 2.7%. Renault gained nearly 4% as some French names posted gains elsewhere; several large European stocks posted various declines and modest advances amid energy-price and inflation data.