US discusses Iran pressure, Ukraine reconstruction with EU official

The benchmark S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq closed at record highs for a second straight day on Thursday as investors bet that the worst of the Middle East conflict may have passed.

Optimism followed Israel’s agreement to a temporary ceasefire with Lebanon and comments by US President Donald Trump suggesting Washington and Tehran could meet again over the weekend.

Trading was choppy, however, after Trump formally announced the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and told reporters that Iran had offered not to pursue nuclear weapons for more than 20 years.

The United States said on Thursday its naval blockade is targeting Iran’s ports and coastline, not the Strait of Hormuz, as American forces step up enforcement operations in regional waters.

"US forces are NOT blockading the Strait of Hormuz. More than 10,000 American service members, 12+ ships, and 100+ aircraft have enforced the blockade in regional waters, ensuring that no vessels violate the President's proclamation," CENTCOM posted on X.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused Israel of violating basic moral principles and criticized what he described as double standards over nuclear weapons in a series of posts on X on Thursday.

Pezeshkian said he had previously called at the United Nations for adherence to a “Golden Rule” shared across religions, urging others to treat people as they themselves would wish to be treated.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday Washington will use all available economic tools against those supporting Iran’s “terrorist activities,” following talks with Britain’s finance minister.

The United States plans to play a more active role in efforts to disarm Hezbollah in Lebanon, a senior Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday.

The official said the administration of US President Donald Trump intends to support Lebanese government efforts to curb Hezbollah’s military capabilities and is prepared to use American resources to achieve that goal.

“Trump wants this to happen, so this time the US will be far more involved,” the official was quoted as saying.