US stock indices rose on Wednesday ahead of the Federal Reserves policy decision later today.

US unemployment claims fell 5 thousand last week to 245 housand as expected by analysts.

Later today, the Fed will announce its policy decision, widely expected to hold interest rates unchanged while releasing new forecasts for unemployment, inflation, and interest rates this year.

Markets are also analyzing the developing conflict between Iran and Israel and mutual threats, with US President Trump threatening to intervene.

On trading, Dow Jones rose 0.7% as of 15:44 GMT, or 280 points o 42,500 points, while SP 500 rose 0.6%, or 34 points to 6017 points, as NASDAQ added 0.7%, or 133 points to 19,657 points.