Stocks Sell Off as Iran War Risks Raise Global Growth Concerns

Global equity markets moved lower as investors grew increasingly concerned about the economic consequences of the escalating conflict involving Iran. Rising geopolitical tensions and uncertainty around energy supply weighed on market sentiment and triggered a broad risk‑off move across equities.

U.S. markets posted notable declines. The S&P 500 fell about 1.5%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped roughly 739 points. The technology‑heavy Nasdaq Composite also lost around 1.8% as investors shifted toward safer assets amid the intensifying geopolitical risks.

The oil market became the central focus for investors. Brent crude, the international benchmark, surged more than 9% to settle above $100 per barrel. Analysts warn that prolonged disruptions to oil production or shipping routes in the Persian Gulf could significantly tighten global energy supply.

Particular attention is on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. Any sustained disruption in the region could accelerate inflation globally and complicate policy decisions for central banks already struggling to balance growth and price stability.