US-Iran Strikes Send Oil Higher, Drag Down Dow Jones

A new round of military confrontation between the United States and Iran rattled global markets, sending the Dow Jones Industrial Average lower while oil prices spiked on fears of supply disruptions from the Persian Gulf region. Investors are trimming exposure to riskier assets and moving into safe havens such as gold and government bonds. Analysts say further market moves will hinge on how long the escalation lasts and whether it threatens key oil shipping routes. Higher energy prices could add to inflationary pressure and complicate the task for central banks already balancing growth support against price stability. For Kazakhstani investors, the standoff could mean higher fuel costs domestically and greater volatility across global exchanges worth watching closely.