Israel launches airstrikes against Iran! Gold and oil prices soar, US stock futures and Asia-Pacific stock markets plunge
Israel launched airstrikes against Iran without U.S. support, leading to a significant rise in crude oil and gold futures prices, while U.S. stock futures and Asia-Pacific stock markets sharply declined. WTI crude oil futures rose by over 8%, Brent crude oil futures increased by over 6%, and COMEX gold rose by over 1%. The Israeli Defense Minister announced a state of special emergency to respond to potential retaliatory attacks from Iran. U.S. Secretary of State Rubio stated that the U.S. did not participate in this action and warned Iran not to target U.S. interests
According to Zhitong Finance APP, on Thursday evening local time, after Israel launched an airstrike against Iran without U.S. support, crude oil futures prices surged, gold futures jumped, and U.S. stock futures and Asia-Pacific stock markets plummeted.
Data shows that WTI crude oil futures soared over 8%, Brent crude oil futures rose over 6%, and COMEX gold increased by over 1%. All three major U.S. stock index futures fell more than 1%, while the Nikkei 225 index and the Korea Composite Stock Price Index also dropped over 1%.
Israeli Defense Minister Katz stated that the Israeli military carried out a preemptive strike against Iran. In response to potential missile and drone retaliation from Iran, the Israeli Defense Minister has declared a special state of emergency. Previously, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had repeatedly warned that he would destroy Iran's nuclear program. Notably, Iran announced on Thursday that it would activate new uranium enrichment facilities in response to the International Atomic Energy Agency's condemnation of its nuclear program.
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio explicitly stated that Israel acted unilaterally against Iran "without U.S. support." Rubio warned that Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.
"The U.S. did not participate in this strike against Iran; our top priority is to protect the safety of U.S. military forces in the region," Rubio said in a statement. "The Israeli side reported that they believe this self-defense action was indeed necessary."
This raid presents the first major diplomatic crisis of President Trump's second term—he had previously urged Netanyahu to show restraint. Although U.S. and Iranian negotiators are scheduled to hold the sixth round of talks in Oman on Sunday, Trump has expressed pessimism about reaching an agreement this week
