US stocks declined for the third session in a row Monday as conflict between the US and Iran entered its tenth consecutive night, with the Dow Jones falling 307 points. The S&P 500 slipped 0.2% amid growing tensions and uncertainty over the Middle East situation, while Bitcoin maintained a value near $65,000.
Strikes launched by the US military targeted Iran early Monday, marking ten straight nights of attacks aimed at securing the Strait of Hormuz following repeated assaults on shipping vessels. The campaign began after strikes by US and Israeli forces earlier this year and resumed after a failed ceasefire attempt.
Market Movements and Military Impact
The Nasdaq Composite showed more resilience, ending down just 0.05%, partly due to strength in tech stocks. The indexes had opened higher but retreated as news from the region dominated investor focus ahead of a heavy earnings week featuring companies such as Tesla, Alphabet, and Intel.
Seventeen US service members have died since the conflict intensified, according to Pentagon reports, with over 400 wounded. President Donald Trump vowed strong retaliation, stating on Truth Social that Iran will "pay many times over" for American casualties. In an interview with the New York Post, Trump described the troop deaths as a "shame" but affirmed support for the mission to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Brent crude oil prices rose to $88 per barrel, approaching $90, driven by ongoing hostilities near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit point.
This article contains information only and does not constitute financial advice.
