08:08 AM EDT, 07/21/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were higher pre-bell Tuesday as traders digested new efforts by mediators to put peace talks between the US and Iran back on track.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.2% higher, S&P 500 futures were up 0.4%, and Nasdaq futures were 1.3% higher.

The US Central Command said it completed another round of attacks against Iran on Monday evening, as news reports said Tuesday that Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen are planning a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia.

Mediators are proposing a 10-day ceasefire between the two nations, giving hope that hostilities may de-escalate. Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni has asked Pakistan to resume its mediation role in the conflict and traveled to Islamabad for further discussions, according to a Reuters report.

Traders took note of the latest round of earnings, with Novartis ( NVS ) reporting lower core earnings and higher net sales for Q2.

Interactive Brokers Group ( IBKR ) is expected to report its Q2 financial results after the market closes. Analysts polled by FactSet expect adjusted earnings of $0.64 per share and revenue of $1.8 billion.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 1.3% at $90.36 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 1.3% higher at $83.55 per barrel.

The economic calendar is vacant.