Ends

• President Trump stated US objectives in the Iran conflict are nearly achieved yet simultaneously threatened even more intense strikes in the weeks ahead, creating confusion about American strategy. • With no declared exit strategy and rising fears of Iranian retaliation, analysts question whether the military campaign is winding down or entering a more dangerous phase. • UK-led talks planned for next week in London will include plans for possible military actions to clear the Strait of Hormuz, with the US not involved in these negotiations.

• US stocks closed Q1 2026 attempting a rebound from the year's deepest downturn, with S&P 500 marking a second straight down month. • Geopolitics and soaring oil prices dominated sentiment, boosting energy as the sole positive sector while industrials weakened most. • Spot crude rallied 55.2% in March, the second-largest monthly gain in 40 years, lifting energy stocks significantly.

John Healey says extra deployment is response to ‘expanding threat’ from IranMiddle East crisis – live updatesUK politics live – latest updatesThe UK is sending more military support to the Gulf taking the total deployment to 1,000 troops, amid more jibes from Donald Trump about Britain’s refusal to get involved in offensive operations against Iran.Speaking from Qatar where he met UK troops, the defence secretary, John Healey, said the extra deployment was in response to an “expanding threat” from Iran. Continue reading...

• The benchmark S&P 500 fell for a fifth consecutive week and is down more than 7% since U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran in late February. • Rising volatility and shifting rate expectations continue to pressure equity markets as geopolitical tensions compound economic uncertainties. • Market participants are reassessing expectations for Federal Reserve policy, with implications for growth stock valuations.

• President Trump announced he is delaying threatened strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure, citing productive talks on ending the war and extending the deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. • Iranian leaders continue to deny any direct talks are taking place with U.S. officials, maintaining their public position on the dispute. • The delay signals potential diplomatic progress while tensions remain high over regional shipping routes critical to global oil supplies.

• U.S. stocks deepened losses on Friday, with the S&P 500 falling 1.7% or 108.31 points to close at 6,368.85, marking its fifth straight losing week—the longest streak in nearly four years. • The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 793.47 points or 1.7% to 45,166.64, now more than 10% below its recent record, while the Nasdaq composite sank 459.72 points or 2.1% to 20,948.36. • Big Tech weighed heavily on the market, including drops of 3.1% for Amazon and 3.5% for Meta Platforms, amid ongoing volatility from geopolitical tensions.

• President Trump extended the strike deadline on Iran's energy sector while warning that failure to accept current negotiation terms would result in "far greater military consequences," according to White House statements. • The White House confirmed ongoing negotiations with Iranian leadership despite military operations continuing at historic levels, with Iranian leadership described by Trump as "desperate to negotiate."