Late Wednesday, U.S. stock futures advanced as investors weighed signs of a potential end to the Iran conflict alongside renewed threats of economic pressure on Tehran.
Stock Futures Climb As Markets Bet On De-Escalation
Dow futures rose 102.00 points, or 0.21%, to 48,771.00, while S&P 500 futures gained 14.25 points, or 0.20%, to 7,074.75 and Nasdaq 100 futures added 75.75 points, or 0.29% as of 8:51 p.m. EDT.
In commodities, WTI crude oil (May) fell 0.45% to $90.88 per barrel, while the June contract declined 0.56% to $87.64 per barrel. Brent crude slipped 0.27% to $94.67 per barrel.
RBOB gasoline futures dropped 0.56% to $3.0519 per gallon. Natural gas futures fell 0.61% to $2.594 per MMBtu.
Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index stood at 97.981, down 0.07%.
Asian markets were higher, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 rising 1.50% to 59,007.10, while South Korea’s KOSPI gained 1.37% to 6,174.77.
Donald Trump Signals Progress On Iran Talks
President Donald Trump said he believes the conflict, which began in late February, could be nearing its conclusion, Reuters reported.
“We feel good about the prospects of a deal,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, describing ongoing negotiations as “productive.”
Talks mediated by Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir may resume soon, with both sides considering another round of discussions in Pakistan after the last negotiations ended without a breakthrough.
US Threatens New Sanctions To Pressure Iran
Despite the diplomatic tone, officials warned that secondary sanctions could be imposed on countries purchasing Iranian oil, a move aimed at cutting off a key revenue stream.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who was speaking alongside Leavitt during a conference, said the measures would act as the “financial equivalent” of the military actions.
Strait Of Hormuz Blockade And Nuclear Disputes Complicate Outlook
U.S. forces have blocked vessels linked to Iranian ports, while Tehran has warned it could disrupt broader regional trade routes if the blockade continues.
Meanwhile, disagreements over Iran’s nuclear program persist. Washington has proposed a long-term halt to nuclear activity, while Tehran is seeking a shorter timeline and relief from sanctions.
Israeli military activity targeting Iran-backed forces in Lebanon has added another layer of complexity.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo: Below the Sky via Shutterstock
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