Futures Flat as Iran Tensions Push Oil and Yields Higher

US stock index futures were little changed on Wednesday as rising oil prices and Treasury yields, driven by escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, kept investors cautious, according to The Lufkin Daily News. The subdued trading came as crude benchmarks extended gains on fresh concerns over supply disruptions in the Middle East. Reports cited by The Lufkin Daily News indicate that oil prices have jumped to fresh six-week highs, with Brent crude trading around $95 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate near $90, following the latest US actions against Iranian tankers and Tehran's retaliatory moves. The rise in energy costs has pushed Treasury yields upward, a dynamic that often pressures equity valuations. The combination of higher input prices and borrowing costs has left market participants hesitant to take on risk, the outlet reports.  The escalation marks a sharp turn in US-Iran relations, with recent headlines pointing to direct US strikes on Iranian tankers and subsequent retaliation from Tehran. OilPrice.com noted that the new measures against Iranian shipping represent a significant step-up in the conflict, while Channels TV reported that oil prices jumped as Iran responded to the latest US attacks. For investors, the key question now is whether the geopolitical standoff will persist and keep energy prices elevated, which could complicate the inflation outlook and influence central bank policy decisions in the coming weeks.