Oil prices spike past $84 as Iran war shuts Hormuz, rattles global stocks
Oil prices jumped over 3% Wednesday as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz, halting tanker traffic and stranding about 200 vessels. European gas prices soared more than 50% Monday, prompting an emergency EU meeting, while South Korea’s KOSPI index plunged 12.06%, its steepest drop ever. Global stocks fell sharply as investors sought safe havens. Shipping costs and war-risk premiums surged in the Gulf region.