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Futures Slip as Geopolitical Tensions Overshadow Strong Bank Earnings

  US stock futures edged lower as investors balanced upbeat bank earnings against rising geopolitical unease tied to escalating tensions involving Iran. Contracts tied to the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all traded in the red, signaling a cautious start to the trading day. Major banks delivered solid quarterly results, with strong trading revenue and resilient consumer activity helping lift sentiment in the financial sector. Yet the optimism was tempered by concerns that potential US responses to developments in Iran could inject fresh volatility into global markets. Energy prices climbed as traders braced for possible disruptions. The pullback comes at a moment when investors are already navigating a crowded landscape of economic data, inflation readings, and policy uncertainty. With markets on edge, even strong corporate performance wasn’t enough to counter the broader risk-off mood.

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Iran and Hezbollah Reinforce Assad Amid Rebel Offensive in Homs

As rebel forces intensify their offensive towards the strategic city of Homs, Iran and Hezbollah are stepping up their support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The recent surge in rebel activity has prompted thousands of residents to flee Homs, fearing the escalating conflict.

Iran has pledged to send additional military equipment, including missiles and drones, along with more advisers to bolster Assad's regime. Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group backed by Iran, has also dispatched supervising forces to Syria to assist in preventing anti-government fighters from seizing Homs.

The city of Homs holds significant strategic importance as it connects the capital Damascus to the coast, a stronghold of Assad's Alawite sect. Losing Homs would sever this crucial link and deal a severe blow to Assad's control over the region.

Rebels, led by the Islamist faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have vowed to continue their advance, aiming to "build Syria" and bring Syrian refugees back home from Lebanon and Europe. The offensive has already seen the capture of key cities such as Aleppo and Hama, further challenging Assad's rule.

The international community watches closely as the situation in Homs unfolds, with humanitarian concerns mounting as civilians bear the brunt of the conflict. The United Nations has called for immediate humanitarian access to all civilians in need and a return to a political process to end the bloodshed.

As the conflict continues, the geopolitical stakes remain high, with Iran and Hezbollah's support for Assad underscoring the complex web of rivalries and foreign interventions that perpetuate Syria's turmoil.




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