• Oil prices surged nearly nine percent. Brent crude reached 75.36 dollars per barrel, while WTI climbed to 74.20 dollars, driven by fears of supply disruption in the Middle East.

• Gold prices rose one and a half percent to around 3434 dollars per ounce, moving closer to the record high of 3500 dollars set in April.

• Global equity markets sold off sharply. US stock futures dropped with Nasdaq futures off by 1.8 percent. European STOXX 50 futures fell 1.6 percent. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei dropped 1.3 percent, South Korea’s KOSPI lost 1.1 percent, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 0.8 percent.

• Israel confirmed it carried out a preemptive strike on Iran, reportedly killing senior Iranian military and nuclear figures including Revolutionary Guard commander Hossein Salami. Israel has declared a state of emergency.

• The United States distanced itself from the attack. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the Israeli strike was a unilateral action, with no US involvement.

• Investors rushed to safe-haven assets. The Swiss franc gained 0.4 percent and the Japanese yen appreciated 0.3 percent. US Treasury yields fell, with the 10-year note yield hitting a one-month low at 4.31 percent. The US dollar index rose by 0.5 percent, reflecting mixed sentiment toward its haven status.

• Risk sentiment, already fragile due to recent trade tensions and slowing global growth, deteriorated further. Analysts believe this strike could be a key turning point after weeks of uninterrupted gains in global equities.

What’s Next?
• The sharp rotation into safe-haven assets signals real fear. If Iran retaliates strongly, we could be facing a second wave of market turbulence. Investors should prepare for more volatility ahead.