Stock futures tick higher as investors monitor latest in U.S.-Iran developments: Live updates

U.S. stock futures rose modestly Sunday night as investors closely eyed the latest developments in the Middle East. S&P 500 futures added about 0.2%, and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.1%, respectively. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 100 points, or 0.2%. On Friday, both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite rose to new all-time intraday and closing highs. The broad market index rose 0.29%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq climbed 0.89%. The Dow bucked the trend, however, slipping 152.87 points, or 0.31%. In a Sunday Truth Social post, President Donald Trump announced "Project Freedom," which he said entails the U.S. helping to "free" cargo ships of nations that aren't involved in the Middle East conflict and that have been stranded by the Strait of Hormuz closure. The initiative is slated to start Monday , Trump wrote. "I have told my Representatives to inform them that we will use best efforts to get their Ships and Crews safely out of the Strait," he said in his post. "In all cases, they said they will not be returning until the area becomes safe for navigation, and everything else." The president's Truth Social post had no details on how such an effort would unfold. Trump's announcement came after Iran said on Sunday that it had received a U.S. response to its latest offer for peace talks. Oil prices retreated, with West Texas Intermediate crude futures last slipping about 1.7% to roughly $100 a barrel. Previously on Friday, Iran reportedly sent an updated peace proposal through Pakistani mediators, boosting investors' optimism that a settlement with the U.S. could occur. However, Trump later said on Friday that he was not satisfied with Tehran's offer, and that the country was only making a deal "because they have no military left." Investors' hopefulness over the situation in the Middle East and a strong first-quarter earnings season have driven stocks higher to new records in recent days, with Bank of America quantitative strategist Nigel Tupper see...