March 6 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures slipped on Friday as the conflict raging in the Middle East threatened to fuel inflation through higher energy costs, and investors awaited a pivotal jobs report.
The U.S.-Israel air campaign against Iran was nearing a week with no end in sight. Oil prices have surged the most this week since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine as shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz ground to a halt.
Natural gas producer Qatar said even if the Middle East war ended immediately, it would take "weeks to months" to return to a normal cycle of deliveries, according to a report.
Crude prices edged higher and sent airlines American AAL.O and Delta DAL.N 1% lower in premarket trading. The S&P 500's passenger airlines subindex .SPLRCALI is on track for a 9%weekly drop.
A weekly jobs report is high on the radar for investors who are also watching out for the impact artificial intelligence integration by corporates could have on employment. The report is due at 8:30 a.m. ET.
