Trending Now - Global Stocks Decline as Oil Prices Surge Amid Iran Conflict

WHO:

President Donald Trump stated that stopping Iran's "evil empire" is more important than crude prices.

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is the new Supreme Leader of Iran.

Wolf von Rotberg is an equity strategist at Bank J. Safra Sarasin in Zurich.

Mitch Reznick is the group head of fixed income at Federated Hermes.

Vasu Menon is the managing director of investment strategy at OCBC in Singapore.

Jose Torres is a senior economist at Interactive Brokers.

WHAT:

European stocks fell 0.6% on March 13th, 2026.

The price of Brent crude oil was $100.30 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude was at $95.98 per barrel.

Oil prices surged 40% since the onset of the Iran war.

The S&P 500 closed 1.5% lower on March 12th, 2026.

The U.S. dollar rose 2.5% since the war began at the end of February 2026.

The two-year Treasury yield reached a six-month high of 3.74% on March 12th, 2026.

The euro fell 0.5% to $1.14575.

Gold was priced at $5,088.4 per ounce on March 13th, 2026.

WHERE:

The conflict is centered in Iran and affects global energy supplies.

The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial shipping lane for oil and gas transport.

WHEN:

The Iran war began at the end of February 2026.

On March 12th, 2026, Khamenei vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed.

The S&P 500 index dropped to its lowest since November 2025.

WHY:

The war in Iran has disrupted global energy supplies and spurred inflation fears.

Rising oil prices are expected to worsen global inflation and impact corporate margins.

HOW:

The U.S. issued a 30-day license for countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products stranded at sea.

Analysts noted that attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz have heightened concerns over supply disruptions.

(UPDATED March 14, 2026 01:25 UTC)

President Trump emphasized that halting Iran's "evil empire" takes precedence over crude oil prices, as the new Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed to keep the crucial Strait of Hormuz closed. European stocks fell 0.6% on March 13, with Brent crude oil priced at $100.30 per barrel, reflecting a 40% surge since the onset of the Iran war, which began at the end of February. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar rose 2.5% during this period, and analysts are increasingly concerned about supply disruptions following attacks on ships in the Strait.