The broad S&P 500 index closed down 0.3 percent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.1 percent, while the Nasdaq's technology-heavy composite index turned positive, up 0.2 percent.
Trump threatened to continue attacks on Iran on Wednesday. The move sent oil prices soaring and the stock market plunging. The development was tempered somewhat after the president added that he did not believe the war would flare up again.
Fuel-sensitive stocks fell, with American Airlines and Home Depot losing 4.0 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively. At the other end, several AI stocks, including giant Nvidia, were up 3.7 percent. Energy stocks also rose, with Chevron climbing 1.1 percent.
A barrel of North Sea oil (Brent) costs $78.6 per barrel.
