US stock futures plunged Sunday night as global markets reacted to coordinated military strikes by the US and Israel on Iran. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell over 500 points, roughly 1%. S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures also fell about 1%, signaling investor concern over geopolitical risks. The strikes occurred after Tehran rejected US demands to scale back its nuclear program. Iran’s leaders have vowed a strong retaliation, raising fears of a broader regional conflict. Oil prices jumped sharply in early trading. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose about 13% to $80 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbed near $73. Iran, OPEC’s fourth-largest producer, faces uncertainty following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Gold futures also gained, reflecting a flight to safe-haven assets amid rising tensions. “The geopolitical shock adds to an already uneasy environment for equities,” analysts noted. The S&P 500 ended February in negative territory, weighed down by volatility in artificial intelligence and software stocks. Investors have questioned whether rapid AI adoption could disrupt traditional business models. Market watchers are now focusing on the upcoming February jobs report. Economists predict a gain of 60,000 jobs, down from January’s 130,000 increase. Any surprises could influence market sentiment, especially amid heightened geopolitical risk. Corporate earnings remain in focus. Broadcom will report on Wednesday, followed by Marvell Technology on Thursday. Retail earnings from Target and Costco are also expected to impact market direction. Cryptocurrencies reacted to the Middle East turmoil as well. Bitcoin fell below $67,000 Sunday night, down about 2% over 24 hours. Ether traded near $1,950, following a roughly 10% drop after the strikes. Sean Farrell, head of digital assets at Fundstrat, said crypto’s resilience could provide tactical buying opportunities, but warned that sustained geopolitical tensions could weigh on markets. Gold continued its upward trend as investors sought security amid rising global uncertainty. Futures climbed more than 2% to $5,390 per ounce, building on a 3% gain the prior week. The metal has seen its seventh consecutive monthly gain, the longest streak since 1973, supported by US central-bank buying and a shift away from sovereign bonds and currencies. Oil markets reflected heightened concern over energy infrastructure in the Middle East. Brent crude rose above $82 per barrel, and WTI surpassed $70. Traders reacted to the first open-market session after the escalation, pricing in potential supply disruptions and geopolitical risk premiums. The Iran conflict is contributing to a volatile start for global financial markets. Investors are weighing geopolitical developments alongside economic data and corporate earnings, creating a challenging environment for equities, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. As the situation in the Middle East unfolds, market participants remain cautious, balancing risk management with opportunities in safe-haven assets like gold and energy commodities. Analysts advise close attention to developments in the region, US policy decisions, and potential market reactions in the coming days.