Asian markets opened higher on April 14, 2023, buoyed by optimism regarding potential ceasefire negotiations between the United States and Iran. Japan's Nikkei 225 and South Korea's Kospi each saw gains of over 2%, while the MSCI Asia-Pacific index rose by 1%. This rally followed claims from former President Donald Trump that Iran had approached the US for peace talks, despite ongoing US naval blockades in the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade, which began on Monday, aims to pressure Iran to reopen vital oil transit routes after previous negotiations failed. Meanwhile, US stock indices also climbed, with the S&P 500 reaching its highest level since the conflict began, closing up 1.02% at 6,886.24. The dollar weakened, hitting a one-and-a-half-month low at 98.328 against a basket of currencies, as risk appetite improved among investors.