Reports emerged on Friday that the United States and Israel are preparing for a major military operation targeting Iran's infrastructure, with widespread aerial attacks potentially occurring over the weekend. This significant escalation in tensions has heightened investor concerns about a wider conflict in the Middle East, which could disrupt global energy supplies and impact international trade routes.
The development follows a period of ongoing conflict that has already affected global logistics, particularly shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical channel for about one-fifth of the world's oil and natural gas. The potential for imminent military strikes introduces a new layer of uncertainty for global markets heading into the weekend.
Market Impact: S&P 500 Futures (ES) ended the session +0.41%, with Nasdaq Futures (NQ) at +0.17% and Dow Futures (YM) at +0.27%. Bitcoin (BTC) showed a 24-hour price change of -3.02%.