[Middle East Tensions Drive Safe-Haven Demand, U.S. Dollar Index Nears Yearly High] BlockBeats News, October 7: As oil prices rise and tensions in the Middle East escalate further, investors are flocking to safe-haven assets, leading to a significant strengthening of the U.S. dollar on Wednesday. Following an increase in Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) surged by as much as 0.5%, climbing in tandem with oil prices and now approaching its highest level of the year. Among G10 currencies, nearly all weakened against the dollar, with the euro performing the worst, lagging behind other major currencies. XTB Research Director Katherine Brooks stated in a report: "The dollar is acting as a counter-cyclical asset, attracting safe-haven inflows as other asset classes face sell-offs." (Jin10)