(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 30 mar - US shares were trading mixed after sharp losses Friday as investors kept a close eye on developments in the Iran war as it enters its second month.

Hopes of a speedy cease-fire have receded as Washington sends more troops to the Middle East and Yemen's Houthi rebels join in hostilities.

President Donald Trump told the Financial Times today the US could take over Iran's oil production while a media report said he was considering a military operation to extract Iran's uranium.

Earlier today Trump threatened to 'completely' obliterate Iran's electric generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island if the Strait of Hormuz was not 'immediately' reopened and a peace deal reached.

Oil prices crept higher, with the price of WTI close to 103.50 dollars per barrel.

Speaking at Harvard University, Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said that 'iInflation expectations do appear to be well anchored beyond the short term'.

Bets have been rising that the Fed will hold steady on interest rates for longer than expected due to growing concerns over inflationary pressure triggered by the war.

At 1741 GMT, the Dow Jones was up 140.49 points, or 0.31%, at 45,307.13 points.

The S&P 500 was 8.76 points, or 0.14%, lower at 6,360.09 points.

The Nasdaq was losing 107.47 points, or 0.51%, at 20,840.83.

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(RADIOCOR) 30-03-26 19:45:10 (0619) 5 NNNN