Gulf equities opened lower on Sunday as the US-Israeli war on Iran entered its third week, with President Donald Trump warning of additional strikes on the Kharg Island oil hub.
Iranian drone and missile attacks have targeted airports, hotels, ports, and energy facilities across the region, placing significant economic and security pressures on Gulf nations and unsettling financial markets.
Read more : Trump warns more strikes on Iran as Gulf tensions rise –
Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index dropped 0.8 percent, with Al Rajhi Bank down 0.9 percent and Saudi National Bank, the country’s largest lender, retreating 1.9 percent amid rising investor caution.
In Qatar, the main index fell 0.5 percent, while Qatar National Bank, the Gulf’s biggest bank by assets, lost 1.3 percent, reflecting investor concerns over regional instability affecting economic activity.
Read more : Gulf oil producers lose $15 billion amid Strait of Hormuz disruptions
Bahrain’s equity index eased 0.3 percent, and Oman’s slipped 0.4 percent, as market participants weighed geopolitical tensions alongside potential disruptions in oil and trade flows across the Gulf.
Analysts warned that continued escalation in Iran and potential threats to key energy infrastructure could keep volatility high, with Gulf markets likely to remain under pressure until diplomatic or military developments clarify.