Overview

• Trump postponed a decision on authorizing strikes in Iran for two weeks, extending geopolitical uncertainty over possible U.S. military involvement in the Israel-Iran standoff.
• U.S. stock futures dipped about 0.2% after the announcement, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and India’s Nifty 50 rallied over 1% and European indexes rose around 0.6%.
• Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell held benchmark interest rates steady, drawing fresh criticism from Trump, who accused the Fed of costing the U.S. “hundreds of billions of dollars.”
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly ordered preparations for strikes on strategic and government targets in Iran.
• Analysts warn that continued tension could disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, threatening further volatility in energy markets.