European stocks open lower as Iran war stretches into fourth week

try{ var _=i o; . if(!_||_&&typeof _==="object"&&_.expiry Asia stocks sink; Japan, S.Korea lead losses as Iran crisis worsens Gold slides 4%, wipes out 2026 gains as Iran crisis keeps rate fears in play Goldman raises Brent forecasts again, sees higher oil prices for longer Spike in oil prices seen as ’a clear risk for consumer equities’ 🧠 Upgrade to AI Insights (South Africa Philippines Nigeria) 🧠 Upgrade to AI Insights European stocks open lower as Iran war stretches into fourth week By Author Scott Kanowsky Stock Markets Published 03/23/2026, 04:04 AM European stocks open lower as Iran war stretches into fourth week 0 UK100 -1.38% FCHI -1.47% DE40 -1.94% LCO 2.50% NG 1.96% LCOmdc1 133.33% Investing.com - European stocks opened lower on Monday, as investors gauged an ultimatum from U.S. President Donald Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Track European stocks with InvestingPro - now 50% off By 04:00 ET (08:00 GMT), the pan-European Stoxx 600 had fallen by 1.3%, the Dax in Germany had slid by 2.0%, the CAC 40 in France had shed 1.6%, and the FTSE 100 in the U.K. had dropped 1.3%. Equities received a weak handover from Asia, where stock markets sank. Many Asian countries rely heavily on imports from the Gulf, making them especially vulnerable to energy shocks. “Escalation in the war remains bad news for asset markets,” said Thomas Mathews, Head of Markets, Asia Pacific, at Capital Economics. As the joint U.S.-Israeli assault on Iran enters its fourth week, a fresh barrage of attacks on Tehran knocked out power across the Iranian capital. But much of the focus remains fixed on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway south of Iran through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. Vessels have been effectively blocked from the traversing the strait for fear of being targeted by Iran, while container shipping companies have struggled to find insurance for sailings. Trump has threatened to attack crucial Iranian power facilities should Tehran n...