US stock futures rose slightly on Monday as investors continued to monitor escalations in the Iran war and surging oil prices. In the latest developments, the US attacked military targets on Iran’s main oil-export hub of Kharg Island over the weekend and threatened to expand strikes to energy infrastructure if Tehran interferes with transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Markets are also assessing reports that the US will soon announce a coalition of countries to escort ships through the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf with global markets. Last week, the Dow fell 1.99%, the S&P 500 dropped 1.6% and the Nasdaq Composite lost 1.26%, with all three benchmarks declining for a third straight week as geopolitical risks weighed on sentiment. Higher energy prices and rising inflationary pressures also reduced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates.
