U.S. stock index futures surged across the board in early morning trading, with gains exceeding 2%. Precious metals markets also mounted a full-scale rebound, while international oil prices experienced a sharp decline, with WTI crude futures plummeting over 10%. Analysts noted that recent progress in U.S.-Iran negotiations has rekindled market hopes for a diplomatic resolution to the Middle East conflict.
According to the latest reports, U.S. President Trump stated on the 7th that he has agreed to suspend bombing and attacks against Iran for two weeks. Trump said, "We have received a ten-point proposal from Iran and consider it a viable basis for negotiations. The U.S. and Iran have reached consensus on nearly all previously disputed points, but the two-week period will allow for finalization and completion of the agreement."
U.S. sources indicated on the 7th that White House officials confirmed Israel has also agreed to a temporary ceasefire.
Prior to this, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that he requested President Trump to postpone the "deadline" by two weeks, while simultaneously asking Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks as a goodwill gesture.
**Market Rally** During early Asian trading hours on April 8, U.S. stock index futures collectively strengthened. Dow Jones futures surged 2.07%, S&P 500 futures jumped 2.14%, and Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 2.44%.
Precious metals markets also showed broad strength, with spot gold rising over 2% to $4,836.8 per ounce and spot silver surging over 3% to $75.82 per ounce.
International oil prices fell sharply, with WTI crude futures dropping over 10% to $98.93 per barrel.
During the U.S. trading session, the three major indices also rallied in the final minutes, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq turning positive in the last minute of trading. At close, the S&P 500 rose 0.08% and the Nasdaq gained 0.1%, both extending their winning streaks to five consecutive sessions, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.18%.
Major U.S. technology stocks showed mixed performance: Broadcom surged over 6%, Alphabet (Google) Class C shares rose over 2%, while NVIDIA, Amazon.com, and Meta Platforms, Inc. posted modest gains. Apple declined over 2%, Tesla Motors fell over 1%, and Microsoft closed slightly lower.
In related developments, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif posted on social media in the early hours of the 8th, stating he had requested President Trump to postpone the "deadline" by two weeks while asking Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks as a goodwill gesture.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Trump has received the proposal from Pakistan and will respond. A senior Iranian official said Iran is actively considering the "two-week ceasefire" request from Pakistan.
Israeli media reported on the evening of the 7th that as the deadline set by President Trump for Iran approaches, U.S.-Iran contacts have made some progress, with parties working to promote a temporary ceasefire and explore the possibility of gradually reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation quoted diplomatic sources stating that Pakistan's proposal to extend the deadline by two weeks is under intense discussion, with "positive progress" in related contacts, though no final agreement has been reached.
According to Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth website, contacts are moving toward achieving a temporary ceasefire, during which the Strait of Hormuz may gradually reopen. The report quoted regional intelligence officials saying parties are closer to a ceasefire than外界预期 and are attempting to reach some arrangement before the deadline expires.
Israel's Channel 12 television cited military sources stating the current situation remains unclear and could "lead to combat or an agreement." Israeli authorities are preparing for multiple scenarios, including ceasefire, framework agreement, and expanded military operations.
The report also described the coming hours as a "critical moment," with Israeli officials paying close attention to potential last-minute agreements between the U.S. and Iran regarding deadline extensions or framework arrangements, while noting such arrangements might not fully meet Israeli interests.
As the deadline approached, the Israeli military issued a statement on the evening of the 7th warning of possible escalation of attacks against Israel in the coming hours and urging citizens to remain vigilant and follow civil defense instructions.
**Trump's Latest Statement** On April 7 local time, U.S. President Trump posted on social media that following calls with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir, and in response to Pakistan's request, the U.S. has decided to postpone planned military strikes against Iran.
Trump stated the precondition is Iran's agreement to fully, immediately, and safely open the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. will suspend bombing and attacks against Iran for two weeks, describing the arrangement as constituting a "two-way ceasefire." He mentioned that established military objectives have been completed and exceeded, while significant progress has been made toward achieving a long-term peace agreement with Iran and regional peace in the Middle East.
Trump said, "We have received a ten-point proposal from Iran and consider it a viable basis for negotiations. The U.S. and Iran have reached consensus on nearly all previously disputed points, but the two-week period will allow for finalization and completion of the agreement."
He added that the current situation is approaching a resolution phase.
Previously, during a phone interview with Fox News on the 7th, Trump stated the U.S. is engaged in "intense negotiations" regarding the Iran conflict but declined to provide further details about these talks.
When asked about his views on the negotiations, Trump said: "I can't tell you because we are currently in intense negotiations." Trump also mentioned he would soon receive a comprehensive briefing on Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz's proposal.
Earlier, Shehbaz posted on social media saying he requested Trump to postpone the "deadline" by two weeks while asking Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks as a goodwill gesture.
On the 6th, Trump reiterated that whether the conflict with Iran would escalate or approach conclusion depended on Iran's response to his "deadline" of 8:00 PM Eastern Time on the 7th. On the 7th, he threatened Iran on social media: "Tonight, the whole civilization could perish. I don't want this to happen, but it might."
On the same day, U.S. Vice President Vance stated that if Iran fails to reach an agreement by the evening deadline, the U.S. might escalate actions against Iran, even employing previously "untapped means."
Vance said the U.S. possesses "the capacity to inflict greater pain" but emphasized that neither Trump nor himself "want to reach that point," noting active efforts are underway to advance negotiations. He stated the U.S. expects to receive Iran's response by 8:00 PM Eastern Time on the 7th (8:00 AM Beijing Time on the 8th), regardless of whether the outcome is positive or negative.
Vance warned that the U.S. still has "untapped means" available. If Iran does not cooperate, the U.S. does not rule out using these means.
These comments, along with President Trump's social media threat against Iran stating "the whole civilization could perish" tonight, sparked online speculation that Vance might be referring to the use of nuclear weapons.
In response, the White House issued a statement via social media: "Literally nothing the Vice President said here 'suggested' that."
Comments