Wall Street opened deep in the red as fresh escalation in the US–Iran conflict sent investors fleeing risk assets, with roughly $1 trillion in market value evaporating in the opening stretch of trading. The trigger: Iran responded to a fresh wave of US strikes by launching an attack on American military bases across several Gulf states.
This is now the sixth straight day of open hostilities. The US and Iran have intensified attacks beyond military targets, raising fears of a return to full war with no agreement reached over the Strait of Hormuz. Overnight, US forces struck southern Iran, hitting six road bridges according to Iranian state media, with separate reports of attacks near Bushehr — home to the country's only nuclear power plant — and Lorestan province.
The market reaction has been textbook risk-off: equities down hard, oil sharply higher, and safe havens bid.
Why did $1 trillion vanish at the open?
Two things spooked traders simultaneously — direct attacks on US bases ...
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