Trump Weighs 'Massive Attack' on Iran; Oil Tops $100, Stocks Drop

Trump says he's close to deciding on major military strikes against Iran. Oil surges past $100 and the Nasdaq tumbles nearly 3%.

Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are rattling global markets — and prices for oil and stocks are moving fast as a result.

In an interview, President Trump said he is "close to making a decision" on launching what he called a "massive attack" against Iran — one that would be bigger than any previous U.S. operation. However, he stressed that no final decision or order has been given yet.

Here are the key points:

Trump said Israel would join "in two minutes" if asked, but the U.S. doesn't need its help. He warned Israel could face Iranian retaliation (revenge attacks) if it gets directly involved.
On diplomacy (peace talks), Trump said Iran wants to negotiate but has "not received enough pain yet" — meaning he doesn't expect a deal soon.
The conflict has been building for nearly two weeks, centered on attacks against commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz — a narrow sea passage where a huge share of the world's oil is shipped.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels have expanded attacks into the Red Sea, threatening another key shipping route.
Trump warned that more Houthi attacks would bring "major military punishment" on both Iran and the Houthis.

Why this matters for your money: When conflict threatens major oil-shipping routes, investors fear oil supplies could shrink, pushing prices up.

The market reaction:

Brent oil (the global benchmark oil price) rose above $100 per barrel, now at $100.88.
WTI Crude (the main U.S. oil price) climbed to $92.67, up 6.75% on the day.
The Nasdaq (a U.S. stock index heavy with tech companies) fell about 700 points, or -2.71%.

Higher oil prices raise costs for fuel and goods, which can fuel inflation (rising prices across the economy). Meanwhile, uncertainty often pushes investors out of stocks, explaining the Nasdaq's drop.

Bottom line: No attack has happened yet, but the threat alone is enough to send oil higher and stocks lower. Traders will be watching closely for any final decision.

This is an AI-generated summary. Read the original article at: https://investinglive.com/news/pres-trump-considering-a-massive-attack-greater-than-anything-before/