US stocks hit record highs as markets bet Mideast tensions may ease

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.

Iran’s Quds Force commander Esmail Qa’ani said Hezbollah has emerged as the “victor” in the confrontation with Israel, commenting after US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon earlier on Thursday.

“People in Lebanon and the region know that the victor in this decisive battle is the heroic Hezbollah,” Qa’ani said in a message carried by Iran’s Tasnim news agency.

Qa’ani said that if a ceasefire takes place, it would be the result of “the steadfast resistance of Lebanon and the support of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”