US Stock Futures Decline as Middle East Tensions Resurface

U.S. stock index futures retreated on Monday morning as escalating tensions in the Middle East dampened investor sentiment following a record-breaking week on Wall Street. The shift in market mood comes as prospects for a swift resolution to the conflict involving Iran appeared to fade. The United States recently reported the seizure of an Iranian cargo ship, leading Tehran to reimpose a closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This move reversed a brief period of optimism that had pushed the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq to consecutive record highs last week. The Iranian foreign ministry stated on Monday that further negotiations with Washington are currently off the table due to the ongoing blockade and unresolved issues regarding its nuclear program.