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Stock markets and crude oil prices fell on Friday as investors await news on whether the US‑Iran ceasefire will be extended. The losses followed a strong week for stocks, driven by hopes that the Middle East war might end soon, but worries remain that the current unsteady truce, which ends next week, could collapse and cause another market crash.
US President Donald Trump, on Thursday, was optimistic as he told reporters: “It’s looking very good that we’re going to make a deal with Iran, and it’s going to be a good deal.”
He claimed Iran had agreed to give up its enriched uranium stockpile and that a deal would include “free oil” and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump added, “We had to make sure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon. They’ve totally agreed to that.”
However, Iran has not publicly said it would surrender its stockpile as Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth took a tough line: “If Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy.”
Stocks fell across the Asia‑Pacific region, with Tokyo among the biggest losers. London edged lower, Paris edged up. Oil prices also dropped but remain just below $100 a barrel.
A 10‑day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon gave some support, and Hezbollah said it would respect the truce if Israeli attacks stopped.
