The FTSE 100 edged lower to its weakest level in more than a week after trading within a narrow range of less than 0.5% in either direction for a 10th consecutive session. Investor caution centered on uncertainty over a potential Middle East peace deal, with the U.S. and Iran appearing to harden their positions in talks over the Strait of Hormuz, even as Pakistan’s defense minister said the sides were "close to some sort of arrangement." Markets were also focused on upcoming U.S. inflation figures, which could shape expectations for the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate path. Oil majors Shell and BP fell 0.3% and 0.4%, while AstraZeneca, GSK and Unilever also declined. Burberry, Tesco and JD Sports dropped about 1.7% to 2%. Aerospace and defense names BAE Systems and Babcock rose around 1.5% each as the sector’s strength continued.