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U.S. stock indices opened higher on Monday, as investors reacted to President Donald Trump’s claims of “great progress” in negotiations with a purportedly new Iranian regime.
Despite the S&P 500 coming off its worst weekly losing streak in four years, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq Composite each rose nearly 1% in early trading.
Market analysts suggest that investors are eager for any “exit ramp” from the month-long conflict, making equities highly sensitive to potential diplomatic breakthroughs.
However, the optimistic market opening was tempered by the president’s simultaneous threats to “completely obliterate” Iran’s critical energy infrastructure if a deal is not finalised shortly.
On social media, Trump warned that the U.S. would target Kharg Island—the country’s primary oil export hub—along with power plants and desalination facilities unless the Strait of Hormuz is immediately reopened.
These conflicting signals have kept the global energy market on edge, with Brent North Sea crude climbing above $115 per barrel on Monday morning.
The regional situation remains volatile as the war enters its fifth week, characterised by continued US-Israeli strikes and Iranian retaliation against regional targets.
While Trump has set an April 6 deadline for Tehran to accept a 15-point peace plan, Iranian officials have publicly denied that formal negotiations are taking place, calling the U.S. proposals “unreasonable.”
As thousands of additional U.S. troops arrive in the Middle East, Wall Street continues to balance the hope for a negotiated ceasefire against the rising risk of a severe global energy supply disruption.
