US equity futures were lower pre-bell Friday as traders looked ahead to the crucial monthly jobs report.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 0.7%, S&P 500 futures were 0.7% lower, and Nasdaq futures were down 0.9%.

The conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran entered its seventh day on Friday, with Tehran effectively shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping chokepoint.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 3.3% at $88.27 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 5.4% higher at $85.42 per barrel.

The February jobs report, scheduled for release at 8:30 am ET, is expected to show a 55,000 increase in nonfarm payrolls following a 130,000 rise in the prior month. The unemployment rate is projected to hold steady at 4.3%. Meanwhile, retail sales are expected to decline 0.3% for January, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.