Dubai stocks headed for their best close in more than three weeks and led markets in the Gulf Cooperation Council higher after Iran reached a framework deal with world powers.

The DFM General Index climbed 1.5 percent to 3,668.92 at 12:20 p.m. local time in Dubai, headed for its highest close since March 12. Abu Dhabi�s ADX General Index advanced 0.2 percent and Qatar�s QE Index gained 0.3 percent. The Tehran Stock Exchange� main index rose 3.5 percent.

Iran and six countries, including the U.S., agreed on a framework accord on April 2 over Iran�s nuclear program, with�details�to be worked out in a final deal in three months. Iran was the United Arab Emirates� fourth-biggest trading partner in 2013 accounting for almost $32 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

�The fog on the Iranian issue has cleared now with the framework agreement,� Muhammad Shabbir, the head of equities at Rasmala Investment Bank Ltd., said by phone from Dubai. �There has also been some movement in Yemen, Aden has fallen back to forces loyal to the President.�

In Yemen, Houthi fighters�withdrew�from the presidential palace in the port city of Aden as the Saudi Arabia-led coalition targeted rebel positions. Saudi Arabia and regional allies started bombing Yemen last month to halt military gains by the Shiite rebels. More than 500 people have been killed in the past two weeks, according to the United Nations.

Emaar Properties PJSC, the developer of the world�s tallest tower in Dubai, climbed 1.3 percent to 7.15 dirhams. Damac Properties Dubai Co. rose 7.1 percent to 2.4 dirhams.

By Bloomberg