The Japanese yen strengthened today, reversing earlier declines, as an escalation in Middle-East tensions ignited safe-haven demand for the Japanese currency. The dollar was last down 0.17 percent at 153.51 yen after slipping as much as 0.35 percent initially. The dollar index, which measures the currency against the yen, euro, sterling and six other major peers, fell 0.19 percent to 104.17. The euro eased 0.15 percent to 166.53 yen. It was flat at 84.35 British pence. Sterling GBP added 0.14 percent to USD 1.2885. Elsewhere, the Australian dollar gained 0.24 percent to USD 0.6563. Leading cryptocurrency bitcoin BTC advanced 2.6 percent to USD 69,212. Source: Oman News Agency