U.S. Extends Iran Ceasefire Amid Continued Maritime Blockade

U.S. stock futures pointed toward a positive open on Wednesday, recovering from two consecutive sessions of losses. The optimism follows an announcement from President Donald Trump extending the ceasefire with Iran, citing a "seriously fractured" Iranian government and a requirement for a unified proposal from Tehran. Despite the extension, the geopolitical landscape remains volatile. Trump confirmed that the U.S. military will maintain its blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports. Tehran has dismissed the move as a tactical ploy, asserting that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the blockade is lifted. Tensions spiked shortly after the announcement when Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy reported the seizure of two container ships in the Strait of Hormuz, alleging maritime violations. This friction highlights the fragility of the current truce and the ongoing risk of escalation in a critical energy corridor. Beyond geopolitics, investors are drawing support from a robust corporate earnings season. Market analysts suggest that expectations for continued double-digit earnings growth are helping justify elevated equity valuations, shifting the focus from absolute tension levels to the general direction of risk. On Tuesday, the major averages closed lower, with the Dow sliding 293.18 points to 49,149.38, and both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq declining 0.6%. In commodities, crude oil rose to $90.02 a barrel, while gold climbed to $4,774.60, reflecting the persistent hedge against geopolitical instability.