U.S. stocks fall as Middle East tensions rise

The U.S. stock indices declined during Thursday’s trading session, influenced by rising oil prices and developments in the Middle East, including reports of a draft Iranian plan to ban passage of American and Israeli ships through the Strait of Hormuz, as well as news of explosions off the coast of Oman. The market experienced a period of calm after a phase of heightened activity driven by quarterly earnings results, with the S&P 500 dropping by 0.2%, the Nasdaq by 0.1%, and the Dow Jones falling approximately 464 points (0.9%). Concerns were raised about the possibility of Iran imposing tolls on ships passing through the strait following recent tensions, amid efforts to resolve the crisis through a potential agreement between Tehran and Muscat.