Market Voices: Iran-U.S. tensions, Fed vote, Waymo in NYC, SSA funding

Seeking Alpha’s daily roundup of remarks and statements that could impact markets, sectors and individual stocks.

• The Iranian mission to the United Nations on Wednesday slammed President Trump’s demand that Iran unconditionally surrender or risk having its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, “taken out.”

“Iran does NOT negotiate under duress, shall NOT accept peace under duress, and certainly NOT with a has-been warmonger clinging to relevance. Iran shall respond to any threat with a counter-threat, and to any action with reciprocal measures,” Iranian officials posted on X.

• President Trump on Tuesday night fanned fears that the U.S. will become more directly involved in Israel’s military assault on Iran, calling for Iran to unconditionally surrender and warning that the U.S.’s patience was running out.

“We know exactly where the so-called “Supreme Leader” is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

• Trump also said that he didn’t expect the Federal Reserve to announce an interest rate cut following its meeting on Wednesday, adding that the key borrowing rate should be at least 2% lower and Fed Chairman Jerome Powell was “stupid.”

“So we have a stupid person. Frankly, you probably won’t cut today,” Trump remarked to White House reporters on Wednesday, according to CNBC. “Europe had 10 cuts, and we had none. And I guess he’s a political guy, I don’t know. He’s a political guy who’s not a smart person, but he’s costing the country a fortune.”

• Alphabet’s (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Waymo said it has applied for a permit to operate its autonomous robotaxis in New York City with a human at the wheel, given that state law still prohibits the use of completely driverless vehicles.

“While we won’t be in New York full-time yet, we have every intention of bringing our fully autonomous ride-hailing service to the city in the future,” Waymo said in an announcement, according to CNBC.

“We’re advocating for a change in state law that would allow for operating a vehicle with no human behind the wheel,” Waymo added.

• The Social Security Administration said it still expects the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance Trust Funds to run short on cash beginning in 2034.

“If Congress does not act, combined trust fund reserves are currently projected to become depleted in 2034. At that time, there would be sufficient income coming in to pay 81 percent of scheduled benefits,” SSA said in a report released Wednesday.