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US Equity Futures Rise on Iran Peace Deal Hopes

US stock index futures gained ground Friday as market participants assessed the likelihood of a breakthrough in US-Iran negotiations. A potential deal could restore critical shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz. The modest advance came as traders weighed competing signals about the timeline for normalizing oil flows if a peace agreement materializes. Some market watchers expressed skepticism about official estimates suggesting the passageway could reopen to regular traffic within 30 days of a deal finalization. The potential resolution has provided support for equities at record levels heading into the weekend. European economic data showed Italy's first-quarter growth exceeded initial estimates, with momentum sustained from 2025 before regional geopolitical tensions began affecting broader economic performance.