Overnight Developments
Iran Rejects Trump’s 48-Hour Ultimatum on Strait of Hormuz — CNBC
Iran’s military command rejected President Trump’s ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, threatening additional strikes on critical infrastructure. Iran’s parliamentary speaker accused the US of violating ceasefire terms, citing denial of uranium enrichment rights and Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Brent crude jumped to $98/barrel on escalation fears, with the Strait remaining effectively closed and disrupting global trade.
Affected sectors: Energy, Shipping, Defense
Trump Dismisses Attorney General Pam Bondi — State Department
President Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi, with Deputy AG Todd Blanche assuming the acting role. Army Chief of Staff Randy George also departed following Defense Secretary Hegseth’s request.
Affected sectors: Financials, Healthcare, Legal Services
Futures & Pre-Market
| Index | Futures | Change |
|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 | 6,800.25 | -0.14% |
| NASDAQ | 25,003.75 | -0.05% |
| DOW | 47,969.00 | -0.22% |
Futures are muted despite the geopolitical noise — markets may be waiting for clarity on the Iran ultimatum deadline before making a decisive move.
Watchlist Movers
None — no watchlist stock moved more than 3% pre-market.
International Markets
Asia closed modestly lower: Nikkei -0.82%, Hang Seng -0.54%, Shanghai Composite -0.70%. Europe followed suit with FTSE -0.19% and DAX -0.84%. Losses were contained, suggesting international markets are cautious but not panicking over the Hormuz standoff.
What to Watch at Open
The key variable is Iran’s response to the 48-hour ultimatum — any escalation or de-escalation signals before the US open will set the tone. Watch energy names and defense stocks for directional cues, and monitor crude oil closely as Brent near $98 puts pressure on transport and consumer discretionary sectors.
This alert is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.