Dollar firmer as US-Iran conflict intensifies, Brent hits $90

Geopolitical tensions escalated as the US began a ninth straight night of attacks against Iran, pushing Brent crude up 3.3 percent to around 91 dollars per barrel. The US dollar index climbed 0.1 percent to 100.84, with the greenback touching its strongest level against the yen since July 9 on safe-haven demand. Fed funds futures now price an 85.6 percent probability of a rate hold at the July 29 meeting, though Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack joined calls for potential rate hikes to tackle persistent inflation.