Iran has damaged 20 US military sites across the Middle East, according to satellite images reviewed by the BBC. These attacks threaten key oil shipping routes and US military bases that protect global energy supplies. The damage comes as tensions escalate over ceasefire talks in Gaza and Lebanon.
The Middle East is one of the world's biggest sources of oil. When conflict spreads there, oil prices usually jump because traders worry about supply disruptions. Higher oil prices make everything more expensive, from gas at the pump to shipping costs for goods. Banks and investment firms are watching these attacks closely because they affect stock markets and inflation.
Financial institutions are most concerned about energy markets and shipping insurance. If oil prices rise sharply, central banks may keep interest rates higher longer, which makes borrowing expensive for families and businesses. Insurance costs for ships traveling through the region have already increased. Pension funds and retirement accounts owned by regular Americans hold stocks and bonds sensitive to oil price swings.
Over the next weeks, President Trump's administration will negotiate whether to expand military presence in the region or pursue a ceasefire deal. The International Energy Agency will likely release updated oil supply forecasts. Banks are preparing for two possible outcomes: either prices stay high if conflict continues, or they drop if a ceasefire holds. Financial markets will react sharply to any major announcement about US military action or peace negotiations.