Indian equity markets plummeted on Monday following the United States’ targeted airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which triggered renewed fears of regional instability and energy supply disruption. The Sensex fell over 800 points in early trade, while the Nifty declined nearly 250 points, as global markets reacted sharply to the escalating Middle East crisis.
Market Impact: Heavy Sell-Off Across Sectors
At 9:45 AM, the BSE Sensex was down 800 points at 81,560, and the NSE Nifty stood at 24,859. The Indian stock market mirrored a global sell-off as investors rushed to reassess risk amidst rising geopolitical tensions.
Top losers on the Sensex included major tech and FMCG stocks such as:
- Infosys
- HCL Technologies
- TCS
- Hindustan Unilever
Meanwhile, Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharti Airtel emerged as the few gainers, benefiting from rising interest in defense and telecom amid global uncertainty.
Energy and Oil Price Shock Looms
The immediate concern driving investor panic is the possibility of energy supply disruption. Oil prices spiked over 2%, reaching their highest levels since January. The potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz — a strategic chokepoint through which nearly 20% of global crude oil passes — could destabilise energy markets.
Iran, the world’s ninth-largest oil producer, has reportedly threatened to shut the Strait in retaliation, prompting sharp reactions across global financial and currency markets.
Currency and Global Markets React
The Indian rupee dropped 17 paise to ₹86.72 against the US dollar as oil import concerns weighed on investor sentiment. Asian indices in Tokyo, Seoul, and Hong Kong also opened in the red, while US stock futures were down 0.5% during pre-market hours.
Expert Views: Volatility Expected, But Buying Opportunities May Emerge
While fears are widespread, market experts suggest the long-term impact may be limited if diplomatic efforts resume quickly.
“If the Strait of Hormuz is closed, it will impact Iran and its ally China more than anyone else,” said Dr. VK Vijayakumar of Geojit Financial Services, advising that the broader outlook still supports a ‘buy on dips’ approach.
Devarsh Vakil of HDFC Securities noted that Nifty’s immediate support has shifted to 24,800 points, advising caution in the short term.
Background: US Strikes on Key Iranian Sites
Early Sunday morning, US bomber jets struck three major Iranian nuclear facilities — Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan — after Tehran refused to engage in talks unless Israel halted its aggression.
Satellite imagery has confirmed structural damage at the targeted sites, though intelligence analysts speculate that nuclear stockpiles may have been moved beforehand.
The sites are reportedly capable of enriching uranium up to 60%, dangerously close to weapons-grade levels. While Iran claims the programme is peaceful, the US and Israel strongly disagree, maintaining that Tehran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
The US-Iran conflict has pushed global markets into a new phase of uncertainty, with investors bracing for oil price shocks, currency volatility, and regional instability. While the Indian market may stabilise if the situation de-escalates, the risk of broader contagion looms if tensions continue to spiral.
