07:32 AM EDT, 03/26/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US equity markets were pointing lower before the opening bell Thursday as traders continue to monitor the latest developments in the ongoing Middle East war.

The S&P 500 declined 0.8%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.7% and the Nasdaq decreased 0.9% in premarket activity. The indexes finished the previous trading session higher.

In a social media post on Thursday, President Donald Trump warned Iran that its negotiators "better get serious soon, before it is too late." Trump claimed that Tehran is "begging" the US to make a deal.

Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly told Iranian state media on Wednesday that Tehran doesn't intend to hold talks with the US, but its top officials are reviewing a proposal by Washington to end their current conflict, according to CNBC. An exchange of messages between the two countries through mediators doesn't mean negotiations with the US, Araghchi reportedly said.

Iranian state media reported earlier on Wednesday that Iran will reject a ceasefire offer by the US and lay out its own conditions to stop the war, according to media outlets.

Earlier in the week, the US reportedly sent a 15-point proposal to Iran to end their conflict.

The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan issued a joint statement on Thursday condemning Iran's "criminal" strikes on their energy facilities and infrastructure. The Gulf countries added that they are ready to act in self-defense.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 3.3% to $93.26 a barrel before the open, while Brent increased 3.7% to $105.90.

"Despite the initial (oil) market relief, uncertainty remains high," ING Bank said in a report on Wednesday. "Tehran fired a fresh wave of missiles at Israel and signaled little willingness to compromise, while Iran also reiterated that foreign ships can transit the Strait of Hormuz only if they comply with Tehran's regulations and are not supporting acts of aggression."

Treasury yields were trending upwards in premarket action, with the two-year rate inclining 4.7 basis points to 3.93% and the 10-year rate gaining 4.8 basis points to 4.38%.

Shares of Advanced Micro Devices ( AMD ) declined 1.4% pre-bell after spiking 7.3% at the close of Wednesday. Super Micro Computer ( SMCI ) was down 3.5% as shareholders reportedly sued the company for allegedly committing securities fraud by concealing its dependence on sales to China in violation of US export laws.

Olaplex ( OLPX ) jumped 50% as the company agreed to be acquired by Henkel in a deal worth roughly $1.4 billion.

Thursday's economic calendar has the weekly jobless claims bulletin at 8:30 am ET, followed by the Kansas City Fed manufacturing index for March at 11 am.

Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook is scheduled to speak at 4 pm, while Fed Governor Stephen Miran speaks at 6:30 pm. Fed Vice Chair Philip Jefferson and Governor Michael Barr are also slated to speak on Thursday.

Commercial Metals ( CMC ) and BRP (DOO) report their latest financial results before the bell, among others.

Gold slipped 2.5% to $4,439 per troy ounce, while bitcoin dropped 1.9% to $69,525.