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Markets Slip as Investors Bet on Extended U.S.–Iran Ceasefire

  Stocks Edge Lower as Investors Hope U.S.–Iran Ceasefire Will Hold Stocks drifted lower today as markets balanced cautious optimism over a potential extension of the U.S.–Iran ceasefire with persistent geopolitical and inflation concerns. Recent trading sessions have shown that even modest signs of diplomatic progress can meaningfully shift investor sentiment. Asian and U.S. markets rallied earlier this week on hopes that Washington and Tehran would continue negotiations, helping unwind some of the war-driven risk premiums that had pushed oil and volatility higher. Despite the pullback, investors remain hopeful that the ceasefire—currently set to expire soon—will be extended, giving negotiators more time to work toward a longer-term agreement. Reports indicate both sides are considering adding another two weeks to the pause, a move that has already helped push Brent crude below the recent peak of nearly US$120 per barrel. Lower oil prices have eased pressure on inflation expecta...

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Turkey Leverages Gaza Deal to Reassert Regional Influence

U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan gesture as they pose for a photo, at a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

Turkey has emerged as a pivotal player in the Middle East following President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s role in persuading Hamas to accept Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan. What was once considered a liability—Ankara’s close ties to Hamas—has now become a strategic asset, enabling Turkey to position itself as a broker in one of the region’s most volatile conflicts.

According to regional sources, Hamas leaders, initially resistant to Washington’s ultimatum to release Israeli hostages or face continued devastation, shifted their stance only after Ankara urged them to comply. Erdogan’s intervention not only helped secure a ceasefire but also underscored Turkey’s ability to influence Palestinian factions in ways that other regional powers cannot.

The move has unsettled Israel and several Arab states, who view Ankara’s growing clout with suspicion. Yet for Erdogan, the deal represents a calculated power play—one that elevates Turkey’s diplomatic standing, strengthens its ties with Washington, and reasserts its role as a central actor in shaping the future of Gaza.


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