Asian currencies consolidated against the U.S. dollar at 0007 GMT as signs of talks in the Middle East supported risk appetite. Iran held further discussions with Oman on establishing a safe shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, and Oman’s foreign ministry said a temporary corridor could be announced soon. Kristina Clifton, senior economist and senior currency strategist at CBA, said in a research report that news of the U.S. returning diplomats to the Middle East eased concerns about an escalation in the war. The dollar was little changed at 159.21 yen and flat at 1.2691 Singapore dollars, while the Australian dollar held steady at US$0.7164, according to LSEG data.