The United States military’s weekend strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities has significantly damaged key sites and sent tremors through global markets, raising fears of a broader economic fallout.
The coordinated assault, carried out by B-2 stealth bombers and submarine-launched missiles, targeted Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear complexes. Satellite imagery and intelligence reports released Monday confirm widespread structural damage, particularly at the Fordow facility, where underground centrifuge halls were reportedly flattened by bunker-busting bombs.
U.S. officials hailed the operation, codenamed Midnight Hammer as a major success.
“Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions have suffered a major blow,” said General Eric Caine of U.S. Central Command.
President Donald Trump declared the mission “a necessary step to protect global peace,” while warning Tehran against retaliation.
Tehran, however, has downplayed the impact. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization said the attacks caused only minor disruptions and claimed that critical nuclear materials had been relocated prior to the strike. Iranian military forces have since gone on high alert, and there are mounting concerns that Tehran may respond by restricting access to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil exports.
The economic impact has been immediate. Brent crude oil surged to over $81 per barrel before retreating slightly, as traders priced in the risk of supply disruptions.
Analysts warn that a partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz could push prices beyond $100, with ripple effects on inflation and growth worldwide.
Equity markets reacted nervously. Asian and European indices dipped, while U.S. futures remained volatile.
Safe-haven assets like gold and U.S. Treasury bonds rallied, reflecting investor caution. Economists warn that sustained geopolitical risk and higher oil prices could force central banks, especially in the U.S. and Europe, to delay interest rate cuts intended to stimulate growth.
The International Monetary Fund has issued a cautious statement, noting that further escalation could “materially alter the global inflation outlook and dampen recovery in emerging markets.”
As the world watches closely, the full scope of economic consequences will depend on whether the conflict deepens or cools. For now, the strike has shifted the tone of global markets from cautious optimism to watchful uncertainty.
