Most Gulf markets in red as Israel-Iran conflict escalates
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's demand for unconditional surrender on Wednesday, as Iranians jammed the highways out of Tehran fleeing from intensified Israeli airstrikes.
Saudi Arabia's benchmark index declined 1.2%, weighed down by a 3.3% slide in ACWA Power Company and a 2% drop in Saudi Arabian Mining Company.
Among other losers, Prince Waleed bin Talal-backed airline Flynas Company closed 3.4% lower in debut trade.
Elsewhere, oil giant Saudi Aramco eased 0.3%.
Additionally, investor uncertainty surrounding today's U.S. Federal Reserve meeting is contributing to the cautious mood, with most market participants expecting the central bank to hold interest rates steady, said Joseph Dahrieh, managing principal at Tickmill.
Dubai's main share index finished 1.2% lower, with blue-chip developer Emaar Properties losing 1.2%.
Most Gulf markets in red over Israel-Iran conflict worries
In Abu Dhabi, the index was down 0.4%.
Oil prices steadied, after a gain of 4% in the previous session, as markets weighed up the chance of supply disruptions from the Iran-Israel conflict and as they ponder a direct U.S. involvement.
The Qatari index lost 0.6%, with Qatar Gas Transport Nakilat falling 3.8%.
Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index added 0.4%, helped by a 4.1% jump in Fawry for Banking Technology and Electronic Payment.
------------------------------------------ SAUDI ARABIA lost 1.2% to 10,591 Abu Dhabi down 0.4% to 9,496 Dubai dropped 1.2% to 5,306 QATAR fell 0.6% to 10,348 EGYPT rose 0.4% to 30,839 BAHRAIN declined 1.1% to 1,889 OMAN was flat at 4,520 KUWAIT retreated 1.6% to 8,544 ------------------------------------------
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Israel announces daily pauses in Gaza fighting as aid airdrops begin
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The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led fighters stormed southern Israel, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel's offensive has killed nearly 60,000 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to Gaza health officials, reduced much of the enclave to ruins and displaced nearly the entire population.
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