Stocks slide, oil and gold jump after Israel launches missile attack on Iran
Stocks have dived in early Asian trade, led by a sell-off in US futures, while oil prices jumped after Israel conducted a military strike on Iran, sending investors scurrying to safe havens such as gold and the Swiss franc.
The Israeli attack on Friday raises the risk of a fresh escalation in tensions in the Middle East, a major oil producing region, and comes at a time of heightened pressure on the global economy and financial markets from US President Donald Trump’s shakeup of trade policies.
Market reaction was swift, with US S&P E-mini futures slumping 1.5 per cent and Nasdaq futures skidding 1.7 per cent.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Japan’s Nikkei lost 1.4 per cent and South Korea’s KOSPI slipped 1.2 per cent.
Brent crude jumped more than six per cent to $US73.56 a barrel.
Gold climbed one per cent to about $US3,419 an ounce.
Israel said it was declaring a state of emergency in anticipation of a missile and drone strike by Tehran, after what it called a “pre-emptive strike” over Iran’s nuclear program.
Explosions were heard northeast of Iran’s capital Tehran early on Friday, the state-run Nour News said.
Two US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said Israel had begun carrying out strikes on Iran and there was no US assistance or involvement in the operation.
CNN reported that Trump was convening a cabinet meeting.
“Traders are scurrying for safety as reports of a strike on Iran cross the wires,” said Karl Schamotta, chief market strategist at Corpay in Toronto.
“But details on the scale and magnitude of the attack remain scarce and moves have been relatively limited thus far.”
Tensions had been building as Trump’s efforts to reach a nuclear deal with Iran appear to be deadlocked.
US and Iranian officials were scheduled to hold a sixth round of talks on Tehran’s escalating uranium enrichment programme in Oman on Sunday, according to officials from both countries and their Omani mediators.
The Swiss franc gained about 0.4 per cent to 0.8072 per US dollar, and fellow safe haven the yen appreciated 0.3 per cent to 143.06 per dollar.
The euro eased 0.3 per cent to $US1.1553, giving back a little of its 0.9 per cent overnight jump.
