Global markets were mixed on Friday as renewed concerns over prolonged tensions in the Middle East outweighed earlier hopes for de-escalation, while persistent inflation worries kept bond yields elevated. Conflicting remarks this week from US President Donald Trump and Iranian officials strengthened expectations that regional tensions may last longer, keeping pressure on investor sentiment. Although Trump said he had paused a decision to target Iran's power plants until April 6 and that talks were going well, disruptions in shipments through the Strait of Hormuz continued to fuel supply concerns in oil markets. [...]