European equity markets closed little changed on Wednesday, remaining near record levels reached prior to the onset of the war in Iran, as gains in the automotive and chemical sectors offset persistent concerns regarding the conflict and its potential impact on energy markets.

* The pan-European STOXX 600 index edged up 0.03% to 628.18 points, after trading slightly higher earlier in the session and remaining approximately 1% below the all-time high touched before the conflict began in late February.

* Markets were partially reassured by a retreat in oil prices, with Brent crude shedding 3.2%, although investors remained attentive to conflicting signals emanating from Washington and Tehran.

* Iranian state television claimed to have obtained a draft of an unofficial framework for an initial agreement between the United States and Iran to end the conflict. According to the broadcaster, this included a clause whereby Tehran would restore shipments through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within a month, but the White House dismissed the report as false.

* On Tuesday, Iran accused the United States of violating the ceasefire, raising fresh doubts about the robustness of peace efforts.

* 'Europe is more exposed than the United States to the economic transmission channel of the conflict, which is obviously related to energy', said Luca Bindelli, head of investment strategy at Lombard Odier. 'If an agreement were reached, some of these concerns building up in Europe would likely dissipate'.

* The automobiles and parts index advanced 2.5% following data showing that European car registrations rose by 7% in April, driven by demand for electric vehicles.

* The chemicals index rose more than 1.3%, bolstered by a 19.5% surge in AkzoNobel after the Dulux paint maker rejected a joint cash takeover bid of 73 euros (85 dollars) per share from Nippon Paint and Sherwin-Williams.

(1 dollar = 0.86 euros)

(Edited in Spanish by Carlos Serrano)