17/04/2026 – 05:00Stocks slip as investors eye Iran–US ceasefire extension
Stock markets fell Friday as investors awaited news of an extension to the Iran–US ceasefire, while crude prices edged back down following the previous day’s rally.
The losses follow a healthy, record-breaking week for equities fuelled by hopes the Middle East war, which is heading into a seventh week, could be close to an end after Donald Trump said negotiators were close to a deal.
But worries abound that a shaky truce agreed earlier this month – and which ends next week – could fall apart and spark a fresh market rout.
17/04/2026 – 04:13Albanese says US made “no new requests” as Trump criticises Australia over Iran conflict
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Friday the United States has made “no new requests” to help in Iran after President Donald Trump said he was “not happy with Australia”.
US security ally Australia has said it is not involved in the Iran conflict but has an interest in the Strait of Hormuz reopening to fuel shipments.
Trump has repeatedly criticised Australia for not helping in the Iran war.
“I’m not happy with Australia because they were not there when we asked them to be there,” he told reporters in Washington Thursday.
“They were not there, having to do with Hormuz,” he said.
17/04/2026 – 03:46Trump calls US war with Iran a ‘little diversion’
President Donald Trump said Thursday the US war with Iran was a “little diversion” during his second term in power, as recent polling shows the conflict’s unpopularity with the American public.
At an event in Las Vegas, Nevada touting his “no tax on tips” measure from the major tax reform bill passed last year, the 79-year-old president boasted about his economic record since returning to office in 2025.
“We had the best economy in the history of our country in my first term. And we’re blowing it out now… And despite our little diversion to the lovely country of Iran, lovely place,” Trump told the crowd of supporters.
“But we had to do that, because otherwise, bad things could happen, the really bad thing,” he continued, referencing Iran’s apparent nuclear potential.
17/04/2026 – 03:31Macron and Starmer to discuss multinational force for Strait of Hormuz security
French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday chair a meeting of allies to consider sending a multinational force to ensure security and free-flowing trade in the Strait of Hormuz once the current conflict between Iran and the US and Israel ends.
The leaders joining Starmer and Macron from 1200 GMT for the meeting – which will mostly be held via video – are due to call for a return to full freedom of navigation and address the economic consequences of the blockade.
But they will also “prepare the deployment, when conditions are met, of a strictly defensive multinational military mission, in order to ensure freedom of navigation,” according to the invitation sent by the Élysée which was seen by AFP.
17/04/2026 – 03:30Iranian footballers granted asylum in Australia say they feel safe to compete
Two Iranian women footballers who sought asylum last month during the Asian Cup said Friday the support they had received in Australia gave them hope of being able to “live and compete in safety”.
Seven members of Iran’s delegation at the tournament sought sanctuary after being branded “traitors” at home for refusing to sing the national anthem at their opening game soon after war erupted in the Middle East.
With their demands for protection an embarrassment for Iran’s leaders but lauded by US President Donald Trump, five later changed their minds and returned home.
Only Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh stayed, despite activists accusing Iranian authorities of pressuring the women’s families, including summoning their parents for interrogation.
In a joint statement, the pair thanked the Australian government for “granting us humanitarian protection and a safe haven in this beautiful country”.
17/04/2026 – 03:20Hezbollah signals conditional response to US ceasefire terms
Hezbollah said that “Israeli occupation on our land grants Lebanon and its people the right to resist it, and this matter will be determined based on how developments unfold” — a stance that could complicate the ceasefire.
The US State Department said that according to the agreement, Israel reserves the right to defend itself “at any time, against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks.” But otherwise, Israel “will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian, military, and other state targets.”
The wording suggested Israel would maintain the freedom to strike at will, as it did in the months following the ceasefire that ended the previous war. This time, Hezbollah said it would respond to any strikes by Israel.
17/04/2026 – 03:15Oil prices fall as ceasefire and Iran talks ease war fears
Oil prices fell in early trade on Friday on optimism the Middle East conflict could be nearing an end after a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel took effect and President Donald Trump said the US and Iran may meet for talks on the weekend.
Brent crude futures declined by $1.34, or 1.35%, to $98.05 a barrel at 0021 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell $1.65, or 1.74%, to $93.40 a barrel, trimming gains from the previous session.