Late Monday, U.S. stock futures climbed and oil markets remained volatile. The U.S. carried out “defensive strikes” in southern Iran after President Donald Trump said negotiations are “proceeding nicely.”
Dow Futures Rise As Markets Watch Iran Ceasefire Talks
Dow futures rose 306.00 points, or 0.60%, to 50,968.00, while S&P 500 futures gained 50.75 points, or 0.68%, to 7,541.75 and Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 286.75 points, or 0.97%, to 29,845.50 as of around 8:29 p.m. EDT.
In commodities, WTI crude oil fell 5.51% to $91.28 per barrel. Brent crude added 1.52% to $97.60 per barrel.
Natural gas futures rose 0.79% to $2.93 per MMBtu.
Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index stood at 99.039, up 0.03%.
Asian markets were mixed, with South Korea’s KOSPI gaining 2.25% to 8,024.65 and Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipping 0.64% to 64,739.43.
CENTCOM Says US Conducted ‘Defensive Strikes’ In Southern Iran
U.S. Central Command said American forces launched strikes targeting Iranian missile launch sites and boats allegedly attempting to place mines near key waterways.
Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a CENTCOM spokesperson, told The Hill that the strikes were carried out to defend U.S. troops against threats from Iranian forces.
Hawkins added that the U.S. Central Command was continuing to protect American forces while exercising restraint amid the ongoing ceasefire.
Earlier in the day, Reuters reported explosions in Bandar Abbas and nearby coastal areas close to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route that handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s petroleum supply.
Trump Signals Progress On Iran Uranium Deal
The U.S. and Iran have maintained a fragile ceasefire since April 7, with only limited clashes reported in recent weeks.
According to reports, Washington and Tehran are discussing a memorandum of understanding that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz fully and potentially require Iran to surrender its enriched uranium stockpile.
Earlier on Monday, Trump said negotiations were “proceeding nicely” and described the possible arrangement as “a Great Deal for all or, no Deal at all.”
Trump Pushes Iran Uranium Deal Amid Nuclear Talks Standoff
He later wrote on Truth Social that “The Enriched Uranium … will either be immediately turned over to the United States to be brought home and destroyed or, preferably, in conjunction and coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran, destroyed in place or, at another acceptable location.”
Reports also suggest that negotiations stalled Monday over disagreements tied to Iran’s nuclear program and potential sanctions relief, while other reports suggested Tehran may agree to transfer its highly enriched uranium only if China provides guarantees.
The U.S. administration has repeatedly said Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons, while Tehran maintains its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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