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Israeli Airstrikes on Iran Send Oil Soaring, Trigger Market Turmoil

Threats to oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz have deepened fears of further market volatility

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Israel launched airstrikes against Iran, targeting the nation's nuclear sites.
People and first-responders gather outside a building that was hit by an Israeli strike in Tehran on Friday. Israel hit about 100 targets in Iran,  including nuclear facilities and military command centers. (MEGHDAD MADADI/TASMIN NEWS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

Overview

  • Israeli jets struck Iran’s nuclear and missile facilities, prompting Tehran to retaliate with waves of drones and missiles
  • West Texas Intermediate crude jumped over 7 percent to about $73 a barrel on concerns that supply routes could be disrupted
  • Major U.S. stock indexes sank more than 1 percent, erasing modest weekly gains as investors reduced exposure to risk assets
  • Bitcoin slid roughly 4 percent to near $104,000 and Ethereum plunged close to 9 percent during a broad cryptocurrency selloff
  • Gold climbed to near two-month highs and the U.S. dollar strengthened while the Federal Reserve maintains its current interest-rate policy