By 04:09 ET (08:09 GMT) on Monday, S&P 500 futures were up 16 points, or 0.2%, Nasdaq 100 futures had risen 109 points, or 0.5%, and Dow Jones futures had added 33 points, or 0.1%. The gains followed a strong week on Wall Street, where the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3%, the S&P 500 gained 3.4%, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 4.44%.<\/p>\n
Market sentiment remained fragile as traders monitored rapidly evolving developments in the Middle East. Analysts at Vital Knowledge noted that \u201cthe Iran news flow and narrative seem to change by the hour,\u201d citing shifting events on the ground, volatility in President Trump\u2019s rhetoric, and new deadlines.<\/p>\n
Several media outlets reported that Iran and the United States have received a framework to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, potentially taking effect as early as Monday. According to the Associated Press, the plan, put together by Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey, envisages a two-stage process: an immediate ceasefire followed by a broader comprehensive agreement. Pakistan\u2019s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has been in contact \u201call night long\u201d with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, the report said.<\/p>\n
President Trump reiterated over the weekend that the U.S. would strike Iran\u2019s power facilities if the Strait of Hormuz is not unblocked by Tuesday evening. Iran has rejected the ultimatum. Trump had earlier set Monday as a deadline for a deal to reopen the waterway, which handles roughly a fifth of global oil flows. The prolonged closure has raised concerns about fresh inflationary pressures and risks to global economic growth.<\/p>\n
Despite ceasefire discussions, fighting has intensified. Iranian state media reported the death of Majid Khademi, head of intelligence for Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guard, later described as killed in an attack blamed on the United States and Israel. Multiple airstrikes were reported around Tehran, including residential areas. The Israeli military said it launched a new wave of strikes targeting the Iranian regime in Tehran, while Iran responded with four rounds of missile attacks toward Israel. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait reported intercepting incoming strikes with their air defense systems.<\/p>\n
Against this backdrop, Brent crude futures erased earlier gains and were last down 0.5% at $108.54 a barrel after briefly topping $110. Brent has climbed from around $70 a barrel before the start of the joint U.S. and Israeli assault on Iran in late February. Gold prices, which rose 4% in the previous week, reversed early losses during Monday\u2019s session.<\/p>\n
Separately, Paramount Skydance has secured approximately $24 billion in equity commitments from three Gulf sovereign wealth funds to support its $81 billion takeover of Warner Bros Discovery, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. Saudi Arabia\u2019s Public Investment Fund is expected to provide about $10 billion, alongside commitments from the Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi-based L\u2019imad Holding Co.<\/p>\n
The funding is intended to help cover costs for Paramount, led by David Ellison, and partner RedBird Capital as they pursue the media transaction announced in February. The deal, which includes assets such as HBO and CNN, is undergoing regulatory review in Europe and could close as early as July.<\/p>\n
How are U.S. stock futures trading amid the Iran conflict?<\/strong> What is the reported framework to end hostilities involving Iran and the United States?<\/strong> How have oil prices reacted to the conflict and ceasefire reports?<\/strong> What role are Gulf sovereign wealth funds playing in the Paramount Skydance deal?<\/strong>
U.S. stock index futures were modestly higher on Monday, with S&P 500 futures up 0.2%, Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.5%, and Dow Jones futures up 0.1% as of 04:09 ET (08:09 GMT).<\/p>\n
According to media reports, including the Associated Press, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey have drafted a two-stage plan featuring an immediate ceasefire followed by a broader comprehensive agreement, alongside reopening the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n
Brent crude futures briefly exceeded $110 a barrel before slipping 0.5% to $108.54, remaining significantly above the roughly $70 level seen before the joint U.S. and Israeli assault on Iran in late February.<\/p>\n
Saudi Arabia\u2019s Public Investment Fund, the Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi-based L\u2019imad Holding Co. have reportedly committed about $24 billion in equity to support Paramount Skydance\u2019s planned $81 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery.<\/p>\n