In particular, the Dow Jones index lost more than 1,000 points. The markets in Europe and Asia were particularly hard hit, as they are significantly dependent on energy resource supplies from the Middle East, unlike the United States.
Brent crude oil prices briefly exceeded $85 per barrel, marking the first time this has happened since mid-2024. In Europe, the price of natural gas surged nearly 40% amid threats from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps regarding a potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Additionally, concerns about a possible increase in inflation contributed to a rise in the yield of 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds to 4.1%.
Military actions by Israel and the U.S. against Iran began on February 28, when numerous air and missile strikes were launched against Iranian cities and military facilities. In response, Tehran attacked Israel and U.S. military bases in several countries in the region. In the first hours of the conflict, several high-ranking Iranian military officials and government officials were killed. U.S. President Donald Trump announced the start of the military operation "Epic Fury" in his statement.
As a result of the attack, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed, along with about ten other high-ranking officials. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, became the new Supreme Leader of the country.
Tensions in the region continue to persist.
