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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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Iran Names New Supreme Leader Amid Escalating Gulf Strikes

                                            Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in strikes last weekend

Iran has selected a new supreme leader as the conflict engulfing the Gulf intensifies, marking a pivotal moment in a rapidly escalating regional war. According to senior Iranian officials, the Assembly of Experts has chosen a successor following the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an Israeli strike last week, though the identity of the new leader has not yet been revealed. 

The announcement comes as Iran, the U.S., and Israel enter the ninth day of hostilities, with missile and drone attacks continuing across the Gulf. Regional states—including the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait—report ongoing damage to critical infrastructure as Iranian projectiles strike civilian and government sites. 

The leadership vacuum in Tehran has heightened tensions, with Israel signaling it may target any successor while Iran vows further retaliation. As diplomacy stalls and military exchanges intensify, global leaders warn that the conflict risks spiraling further without immediate de-escalation. 

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