US Markets Mixed as US Forces Exit Iraq

US stock markets ended September 30, 2026, with mixed results as investors weighed cooler-than-expected inflation data against rising crude prices and Treasury yields. While the Nasdaq advanced, the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average declined for the week. The Federal Reserve System saw expectations for rate hikes tempered by the latest inflation figures.

In the Middle East, Donald Trump stated he rejected Iran's latest peace proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This contradicted claims from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who asserted he had not received a formal rejection of the proposal. Amid these tensions, the last American forces withdrew from Iraq, a move celebrated by Iranian allies.

Separately, the Government of Saudi Arabia denied a request from Israel to allow military aircraft into its airspace. Israel sought access to retrieve citizens following an emergency landing of a flydubai flight. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu provided details on the incident, noting that a co-pilot had attempted to crash the aircraft before being restrained.