Stock market today: S&P 500, Nasdaq close slightly higher on hopes of Iran deadline extension

Markets are facing volatility as a Trump deadline to launch strikes on Iran fast approaches.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:11pm

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An extreme close-up of a shattered car sensor lens reflecting a faint red light, conceptually illustrating the vandalism of self-driving cars.As tensions over autonomous vehicles escalate, a recent wave of targeted street vandalism exposes pent-up frustration with driverless technology.Chicago Today

US stocks mounted a late-day comeback on Tuesday after President Trump escalated bombing rhetoric ahead of his fast-approaching deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face destruction of its key infrastructure. The S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite closed slightly higher, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.2% after stocks finished in positive territory on Monday.

Why it matters

Markets are on alert for any breakthrough on a Middle East truce as Trump's renewed deadline for Iran closes in, set to expire Tuesday evening. Stocks climbed in the afternoon after Pakistan proposed a two-week extension to Trump's deadline, offering a potential off-ramp to the hostilities that were stoked earlier on Tuesday.

The details

In the morning, the president posted on Truth Social, "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will." Denting hopes, media reports said the US has carried out strikes on military targets across Kharg Island, home to Iran's major oil shipment facility. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude futures dipped by 0.8% to top $111 a barrel as investors assessed the chances of a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Brent crude futures, the international benchmark, fell nearly 3% to $106.

  • On July 4, Quinn allegedly dove onto the hood of a Waymo vehicle and covered sensors.
  • On July 29, Quinn allegedly damaged a Waymo's tires and driver's side mirror.
  • On August 11, Quinn allegedly stomped on a windshield while someone was inside.

The players

Waymo

An American autonomous driving company and is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

Walker Reed Quinn

A 45-year-old San Francisco resident who has a history of vandalism and was out on bail for prior cases related to Waymo vehicles.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.