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* Futures: Dow down 0.2%, S&P 500 up 0.07%, Nasdaq up

0.22%

May 4 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were mixed on

Monday, pointing to a cautious start to the week as investors

assessed the growing U.S.-Iran standoff over the Strait of

Hormuz, the crucial oil shipping route that remains shut.

While strong corporate earnings have given markets plenty to

cheer in the recent weeks, the U.S.-Iran war remains a big

overhang.

The conflict, now in its third month, has continued to weigh

on the global economy as oil prices stay elevated and the risk

of renewed hostilities persists.

"Markets can look through the fog of war if the fog is

likely to lift within a reasonable amount of time," said

Brian Jacobsen, chief economic strategist at

Annex Wealth Management.

"The key is recognizing that what is happening is for now,

not forever. That's easy to forget when you're living through

the 'for now' part."

On Monday, Iran's military warned U.S. forces not to enter

the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump said the

United States would help free ships stranded in the Gulf.

Iran is also reviewing the U.S. response to its latest offer

for peace talks, after previous diplomatic efforts have failed

to produce a breakthrough.

At 4:47 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis were down 101 points,

or 0.2%, S&P 500 E-minis were up 5.25 points, or 0.07%

and Nasdaq 100 E-minis rose 61.75 points, or 0.22%.

Meanwhile, Berkshire Hathaway ( BRK/A ) reported on Saturday

that it was a net seller of stocks for the 14th straight

quarter.

The conglomerate, often viewed as a bellwether of the U.S.

economy, is closely watched for its insight into valuations and

broader market conditions.

Separately, shares of GameStop ( GME ) dipped 0.8% and eBay ( EBAY )

rose 8.3% in premarket trading after the video game

retailerunveiled a proposal to buy eBay ( EBAY ) for about $56

billion in a cash-and-stock deal.

(Reporting by Niket Nishant in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun

Koyyur)