Singapore, April 23 (QNA) - The ​dollar inched higher near a week and a half high on Thursday as a stand-off between Iran and the ‌US in the Middle East war and lack of progress in peace talks lifted oil prices back above $100 per barrel, weighing on investor sentiment.

The euro was fetching $1.1712, having touched its lowest since April 13 earlier in the session. The single currency is headed for a 0.4% decline in the week, its first drop in four weeks. Sterling stood at $1.3497.

The Australian dollar was steady at $0.7165, not far from the four-year high it touched last week. The New Zealand dollar traded at $0.59045. Against the yen, the US dollar nudged down 0.02% to 159.48 yen.

The US dollar index, which measures the currency against a basket of six major peers, was at 98.644, near its highest level since April 13.

The index is on track for a moderate 0.4% gain this week following two weekly drops. (QNA)