The geopolitical tension continues with reports that Trump had a tense call with Israel Netanyahu on Lebanon. Trump wants Israel to slow down its bombings on Lebanon while negotiations for a cease-fire continue with Iran. Netanyahu does not want to stop the bombing.
In other geopolitical news:
- Iran also wants the release of blocked assets prior to the commencement of negotiations.
- Kuwait says Iranian attacks overnight targeted National Guard facilities, caused injuries to a number of personnel, dealt with a total of 7 drone incursions in the last 24 hours.
- Iranian military said that his forces had their finger on the trigger and remain fully ready due to the Israeli and the US failure to keep to their commitments of the ceasefire.
- Meanwhile VP Vance warned Iran that Washington is “willing to extend the open hand” in this weekend’s negotiations but warned Tehran not to “try to play us.”:
- Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem urged Lebanese officials to stop what he called “free concessions” to Israel, vowing the group’s resistance would continue “until the last breath.” He framed the conflict as a unified national effort and dismissed Israeli threats as ineffective, while warning that any escalation—especially large troop deployments—would lead to heavy losses.
The price of crude oil is trading up $0.68 at $98.58. Although that is well off the high price of $117.63 reached on Tuesday’s trade, the price remains stubbornly near the $100 level. Just prior to the war starting on February 28, the low price reached $63.60.
