"The damage to the Nuclear sites in Iran is said to be “monumental.” The hits were hard and accurate. Great skill was shown by our military. Thank you!" –President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/BJQPHa7XT6
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 22, 2025
US stock futures are edging up slightly as the world watches for Iran’s response to US strikes over the weekend. In a national address, the US President called the attack “a spectacular military success” and claimed Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities were “obliterated,” although other officials provided a more measured response. The President also mentioned that the US military might target other sites in Iran if the nation does not agree to peace.
"We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home.… pic.twitter.com/AqCLmaLYJb
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 21, 2025
As of 6 a.m. ET, futures linked to the blue-chip Dow had increased by 0.1% or 44 points, reaching 42,559. The S&P 500 futures gained 0.19% or 11.5 points, hitting 6,029.50, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq futures rose by 0.15% or 33 points to reach 21,877.75. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield edged up to 4.391%.
Investors are concerned about how escalating tensions might affect the economy, oil prices, inflation, and interest rates.
“The markets view the attack on Iran as a relief with the nuclear threat now gone for the region,” said Dan Ives at Wedbush, adding that he sees minimal risks of the Iran-Israel conflict spreading to the rest of the region as its “isolated” now https://t.co/8VLGmLXrBn @CNBC
— Dan Ives (@DivesTech) June 23, 2025
Oil prices initially surged to a five-month high but later pared gains, currently standing 0.49% higher at $74.20 per barrel.
us stock futures inch up
Future oil price movements will depend heavily on the subsequent actions of the US and Iran.
#IranIsraelConflict | Trump confirms U.S. strikes on Iran’s key nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz & Isfahan—with B2 bombers & Tomahawks. America officially enters Israel-Iran war. @priyanktripathi reports live from #TelAviv with the latest. #Iran #Israel #Trump pic.twitter.com/tleIWyuTrB
— ET NOW (@ETNOWlive) June 23, 2025
“The immediate-term focus is on whether Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil supply travels,” said Mike O’Rourke, chief market strategist at JonesTrading. A member of the Iranian parliament’s National Security Commission indicated that a decision on this matter would ultimately be made by the Supreme National Security Council, according to Reuters.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on China to prevent Iran from blocking the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the US airstrike. While China, the largest buyer of Iranian oil, has condemned the US attack as a violation of the UN Charter and international law, it has stopped short of offering substantial assistance to Iran and instead called for a ceasefire. In other developments, the price of Bitcoin initially fell below the key psychological $100,000 level due to jitters from the US strikes on Iran but has since regained that threshold.
Bitcoin was last seen up 0.58% at $101,560.40. Tesla launched its long-awaited robotaxi service over the weekend, and shares rose 1.49% in pre-market trade. Northern Trust was approached by Bank of New York Mellon regarding a potential merger, causing Northern Trust shares to rise 5.11% in pre-market trade.
