(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 30 mar - US shares opened higher 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 receeded 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 brent close to 115 dollars per barrel.

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

On the stocks front shares in aluminium producer Alcoa were up almost 12% in early trade after two Middle East peers were reportedly hit by Iranian attacks. Shares in food distributor Sysco fell 12% after it said it had agreed to acquire Jetro Restaurant Depot in a deal valued at 21.9 billion dollars.

Just after the opening bell the Dow Jones was up 334.86 points, or 0.74%, at 45,501.50 points, the S&P 500 was up 49.41 points, or 0.78%, at 6,418.26, while the Nasdaq was up.

153.60 points, or 0.73%, at 21,101.96.

(RADIOCOR) 30-03-26 15:44:44 (0412) 5 NNNN