U.S. President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would open fully by Friday, but officials warned shipping could take more than two weeks to resume normal flow. The announcement follows a U.S.–Iran peace deal aimed at ending war and restarting nuclear talks, a development that has already rattled Israel and dominated the G‑7 summit in France.

Oil prices fell sharply as the news hit markets. Brent crude futures dropped 4.8% to $83.17 a barrel, its lowest close since the early days of the war, while WTI fell 4.9% to $80.75. The decline pressured energy‑centric stocks, but technology names like SpaceX surged nearly 20% after its IPO gains.

Securities regulators also moved on other fronts. The Department of Justice finished an antitrust probe of Paramount’s acquisition of an AI firm before dissenting staff could file objections. Senior leaders cited Paramount CEO David Ellison’s interview as a key factor in clearing the deal, despite prior concerns from lawyers.

These intertwined moves illustrate how geopolitical shifts, commodity price swings and regulatory actions ripple across markets. Investors now face a more volatile trading environment, with energy and technology sectors reacting sharply to policy changes and corporate deals. The Strait’s reopening will likely lift shipping costs and influence oil supply dynamics in the coming weeks.