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Updated 9 March 2026 at 17:16 IST

Iran War LIVE: Global Concern Over Rising Oil Prices, Bahrain’s Bapco Energies Declares Force Majeure; Rupee Closes At All-Time Low

The escalating Iran war is rattling global markets as oil prices surge above $100 per barrel and Bahrain’s state energy firm Bapco Energies declares force majeure after an attack on its refinery. The incident has intensified fears of a broader Middle East energy crisis and disruption to global oil supply chains.

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Iran War LIVE: Global Concern Over Rising Oil Prices, Bahrain’s Bapco Energies Declares Force Majeure | Image: Republic

Oil prices eclipsed $114 per barrel for the first time since 2022 on Monday (March 9, 2026) as the Iran war intensified, threatening production and shipping in West Asia.

The price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, surged past $114 after trading resumed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. That was up 23% from its Friday (March 6) closing price of $92.69.

Asian stock markets plunged on Monday (March 9, 2026) as oil prices soared 30% on fears about supplies from West Asia as the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran continued into a second week with no sign of letting up.

Investors, already spooked by concerns over extended tech valuations and the huge spending on AI, ran for the hills as crude rocketed to its highest level since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

 


 

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9 March 2026 at 17:13 IST

Iran War LIVE: Two Drones Destroyed in Bushehr Province in the South of the Country and Another in the Capital Tehran

Iran War LIVE: Iranian Revolutionary Guard: Two Drones Destroyed in Bushehr Province in the South of the Country and Another in the Capital Tehran, says Iranian media.
 

9 March 2026 at 17:11 IST

Iran War LIVE: Thousands gather on streets of Tehran to pay allegiance to new Supreme Leader

Iran War LIVE: Thousands gather on the streets of Tehran to pay allegiance to the new Supreme Leader

Thousands gather on the streets of Tehran to pay their allegiance to the newly selected Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, on Monday.

Khamenei was chosen as the new Supreme Leader after his father was killed in the joint strikes caused by the US-Israeli attacks.

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9 March 2026 at 17:15 IST

Iran War LIVE: Israel launches fresh attacks in Tehran

Iran War LIVE: The Israeli Air Force launched a broad wave of strikes targeting the infrastructures of the Iranian regime in Tehran, Isfahan, and several parts of southern Iran on Monday, the Defence Force said on its X account.

9 March 2026 at 17:00 IST

Iran War LIVE: US urges citizens to leave southeast Turkiye, orders non-essential staff out of Adana consulate

Iran War LIVE: Washington has advised non-essential staff to leave its consulate near the southern Turkish city of Adana near a key NATO base and ordered US citizens to leave “southeast Turkey”, the US embassy to Ankara says.

“On March 9, 2026, the Department of State ordered non-emergency US government employees and US government employee family members to leave Consulate General Adana due to the safety risks,” it said on X, referencing a travel advisory saying: “Americans in southeast Turkey are strongly encouraged to depart now”.

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9 March 2026 at 16:51 IST

Iran War LIVE: Oil surges past $100 as Strait of Hormuz disruption deepens crisis

Iran War LIVE: Oil surges past $100 as Strait of Hormuz disruption deepens crisis

Global oil markets have surged amid fears that the conflict could severely disrupt energy supplies.

Brent crude jumped sharply above $100 a barrel after the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of global oil shipments pass, was effectively shut down during the conflict.

Tankers have been unable to sail for more than a week, forcing some producers to halt pumping as storage facilities reach capacity, fuelling market panic.
 

9 March 2026 at 16:46 IST

Iran War LIVE: Iran names Mojtaba Khamenei as new supreme leader after father's killing

Iran War LIVE: Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader, succeeding his father Ali Khamenei, who was killed in Israeli strikes earlier in the conflict. The decision, taken by the Assembly of Experts, signals that hardliners remain firmly in control of Iran’s leadership. The appointment also dims hopes of a quick diplomatic resolution to the escalating war in the Middle East.

9 March 2026 at 16:24 IST

Iran war LIVE: Akasa Air will operate select flights to/from Jeddah and Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kochi, and Kozhikode, until March 31, 2026

Iran war LIVE: Following a comprehensive safety review and based on the current assessment of the situation in the Middle East, Akasa Air will operate select flights to/from Jeddah and Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kochi, and Kozhikode, until March 31, 2026, enabling passengers to plan their travel.

For flight details and bookings, please visit http://akasaair.com or use the Akasa Air Android and iOS app.

The operation of these flights is based on the prevailing situation and our ongoing safety assessment and may be subject to change.

Flights to and from Abu Dhabi and Riyadh remain suspended until March 11, 2026. Additionally, flights from Doha and Kuwait remain suspended until March 15, 2026.

Akasa Air has extended its cancellation / rescheduling charges waiver policy for passengers booked to or from these cities until March 31, 2026.

Travellers may opt for a full refund, credited to the source of payment within 7 days, or reschedule their travel at no additional cost. If your booking was made through a travel partner, please check directly with them for assistance.

Passengers are requested to check their flight status at http://bit.ly/qpfltsts before commencing travel to the airport.

The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority. We thank you for your patience and appreciate your understanding during this time.

9 March 2026 at 16:21 IST

Iran War LIVE: More than 16 transport aircraft force destroyed near Tehran airport: Israeli Army

Iran War LIVE: More than 16 transport aircraft belonging to the iranian quds force destroyed near Tehran airport.

9 March 2026 at 16:25 IST

Iran war LIVE: Rupee falls 53 paise to close at all-time low of 92.35 against U.S. dollar

Iran war LIVE: The rupee crashed to its all-time closing low of 92.35 (provisional) against the U.S. dollar on Monday (March 9, 2026), losing 53 paise during the session, as global crude oil prices saw a sharp spike, and the greenback strengthened amid worsening conflict in the Middle East.

Withdrawal of foreign funds amid intense selling in domestic equity markets further pressured the rupee, forex traders said.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 92.22. It rose briefly to 92.15 but kept losing ground through the session before eventually settling at its all-time low of 92.35 (provisional), down 53 paise from its previous close.

“The rupee opened sharply lower, hitting a fresh record low of 92.35 on weak global markets and an overnight surge in crude oil prices. Oil prices surged around 25 per cent in the Asian session. Strong dollar and FII outflows also pressured the rupee,” Anuj Choudhary, Research Analyst, Mirae Asset ShareKhan, said.

“We expect the rupee to trade with a negative bias on weak global market sentiments and a strong dollar amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. However, any intervention by the central bank may support the rupee at lower levels,” he said, adding that the USD-INR spot price is expected to trade in the range of 92-92.80.

9 March 2026 at 16:13 IST

Iran War LIVE: Markets tumble, Rupee closes at all-time low

Iran War LIVE: Sensex plunged 1,352.74 points to settle at 77,566.16; Nifty tumbled 422.40 points to 24,028.05 at close on Monday (March 9, 2026).

At close, the Rupee loses 53 paise to settle at an all-time low of 92.35 (provisional) against the U.S. dollar.

9 March 2026 at 16:12 IST

Iran War LIVE: Crude Oil Prices Spikes Near $120 as Iran War Disrupts Production and Shipping

Iran War LIVE: Oil prices surged to nearly $120 per barrel on Monday before retreating, as the intensifying Iran war raised fears of disruptions to Middle Eastern production and shipping, sending shockwaves through financial markets.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, spiked to $119.50 per barrel in early trading before falling back to around $105 per barrel later in the day. Similarly, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US benchmark, peaked at $119.48 per barrel before settling near $102 per barrel.

The volatility reflects growing market anxiety over potential supply shortages as the conflict threatens key oil infrastructure and shipping routes in the region.

9 March 2026 at 16:43 IST

Iran War LIVE: Sirens heard in Israel's Hanifa Bay are, suggesting rocket attack from Lebanon

Iran War LIVE: Sirens were heard in northern Israel's Hanifa Bay Area without prior warning, the Associated Press reported. It further added that the sirens were heard due to a possible missile attack from Lebanon.

9 March 2026 at 16:12 IST

Iran War LIVE: G7 nations could use their strategic oil reserves, Macron says

Iran War LIVE: French President Emmanuel Macron has indicated that G7 nations are considering tapping into their emergency oil stockpiles to address soaring energy prices triggered by the ongoing conflict.

Speaking to reporters en route to Cyprus, Macron said, "The use of strategic reserves is an envisaged option." He added that G7 leaders could hold a call or video conference this week to coordinate a response to the escalating energy crisis. France currently holds the rotating presidency of the G7.

Separately, G7 finance ministers are scheduled to meet Monday afternoon via video conference to discuss the economic repercussions of the Iran war.

9 March 2026 at 16:12 IST

Iran War LIVE: IDF Launches Limited Ground Raid in Southern Lebanon, Targets Hezbollah

Iran War LIVE: IDF troops have entered southern Lebanon for a limited ground raid targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and terrorists. The operation, preceded by a wave of airstrikes, is intended to provide an additional layer of protection for residents in northern Israel. 


 

9 March 2026 at 15:01 IST

Iran War LIVE: U.S. Envoys Kushner and Witkoff have cancelled their scheduled visit to Israel

Iran War LIVE: According to Israeli media, U.S. Envoys Kushner and Witkoff have cancelled their scheduled visit to Israel after announcing their arrival.
 

9 March 2026 at 14:45 IST

Iran War LIVE: Oil price surge unlikely to stoke inflation sharply, says Nirmala Sitharaman

Iran War LIVE: India does not expect inflation to rise substantially from a jump in global crude oil prices triggered by the war in the Middle ‌East, as domestic price levels remain near the lower end of the central bank’s tolerance band, ⁠Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday (March 9, 2026).

Global oil prices, including India’s crude basket, ‌had been falling for a year until conflict escalated in the region on February 28, Sitharaman said in a written reply in parliament.

The Indian ⁠basket rose from $69.01 a barrel at end-February to $80.16 a barrel by March 2, the reply said.

The government said ‌the impact on consumer prices would be limited for now.

“Given that India’s inflation is near the lower bound, the impact on inflation is not estimated to be substantial at this point,” Ms. Sitharaman said.

January’s retail inflation was 2.75%, close to the bottom of the Reserve Bank of ‌India’s 2%–6% target range.

The RBI’s October 2025 Monetary Policy Report estimated that a 10% increase in crude prices could lift inflation by about 30 basis points, ⁠assuming full pass-through to domestic fuel rates, she said.

“However, the ⁠medium-term impact of the global crude oil price rise on inflation depends on several factors, including exchange ‌rate movements, global demand and supply situation, monetary policy transmission, the state of general inflation, and the extent of the indirect pass-through,” Ms. Sitharaman added

9 March 2026 at 14:37 IST

Iran War LIVE: Iran conflict forces central banks into sharp policy rethink

Iran War LIVE: The escalating crisis in West Asia has dramatically changed the outlook for global central banks, with the huge supply shock posing a difficult trade-off between underpinning ‌growth and countering inflation.

For emerging Asian central banks, cutting interest rates has become a risky bet not just because of the added price pressure from higher fuel costs, but also the risk of triggering ⁠capital outflows through worsening terms of trade with the U.S.

The Reserve Bank of India, for one, expects to focus more on supporting growth by keeping interest rates low, sources have told Reuters. But a rush towards the safe-haven dollar, which is intensifying from the U.S.-Iran war, may force it ‌to ramp up intervention to prop up its weakening currency.

Thailand and the Philippines may be forced to reverse their dovish monetary policy stance, even as rising fuel costs hurt their economies, said Toru Nishihama, chief emerging market economist ‌at Dai-ichi Life Research Institute in Tokyo.

9 March 2026 at 14:36 IST

Iran War LIVE: European shares fall to over two-month lows as Iran war drags on

Iran War LIVE: European shares slumped to their lowest in over two months ⁠on Monday (March 9, 2026), as surging oil prices exacerbated inflation worries with the U.S.-Israeli war on ‌Iran showing no signs of slowing down.

The pan-European benchmark fell for ‌the third session, down 2.34% at 585.08 ‌points ⁠by 0810 GMT. The index ⁠fell 5.5% last week, marking its worst week in nearly a year.

Oil surged more than 25% with prices just ‌shy of $120 a barrel, as concerns over drawn-out shipping and supply disruptions gripped markets due to an expanding conflict ‌in the Middle East.

Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father, Ali Khamenei, as supreme leader, signalling ⁠that hardliners remain firmly in charge in Tehran.

In Europe, banks, which were in the ‌epicentre of the sell-off last week, extended declines with a 3.2% fall.

Tech stocks fell 3.1%.

Carriers Lufthansa and Air France KLM fell 3.9% and 5.2%, respectively.

On the flip side, higher crude prices pushed ‌energy 0.1% higher, while defence firm Leonardo added 1.4%.

Attention now turns to comments by ECB President Christine Lagarde, while board ⁠member Piero Cipollone and euro zone ⁠finance ministers are due to speak at the Eurogroup meeting later in the day.

Data ‌showed German industrial orders fell more than expected month-on-month in January.

9 March 2026 at 14:34 IST

Iran War LIVE: European gas prices surge 30% on West Asia conflict

Iran War LIVE: European gas prices soared as much as 30% on Monday (March 9, 2026) as the West Asia conflict roiled energy markets and spurred fears of prolonged supply disruptions.

The Dutch TTF natural gas contract, considered the European benchmark, jumped to 69.50 euros before paring gains slightly.

Despite the surge, the price remained below the level it reached in 2022 at the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

9 March 2026 at 14:34 IST

Iran War LIVE: Stock markets trade with deep cuts on surging crude oil prices, ongoing West Asia conflict

Iran War LIVE: Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty crashed over 3% on Monday (March 9, 2026) as boiling crude oil prices and a weak trend in global equities due to worsening situation in West Asia dragged the stock markets sharply lower.

Besides, unabated foreign fund outflows also weighed heavily on investors’ sentiment.

The 30-share BSE Sensex crashed 2,494.35 points or 3.16% to 76,424.55. The 50-share NSE Nifty tumbled 752.65 points or 3.07% to 23,697.80.

All the 30-Sensex firms were trading lower. State Bank of India, Mahindra & Mahindra, UltraTech Cement, Maruti, InterGlobe Aviation and Adani Ports were among the major laggards

9 March 2026 at 14:33 IST

Iran War LIVE: Iran war and ‘fertilizer shock’

Iran War LIVE: Tehran is moving to restrict – or effectively close – the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, as part of the latest escalation in the war involving Iran.

Markets have reacted to the global impact of closing this incredibly busy shipping channel, focusing on the risk to oil and gas flows, the prospect of higher crude prices and the inflationary pressures that would follow.

But it captures only part of the story. A sustained disruption of traffic through Hormuz would not simply constitute an energy crisis.

It would also represent a fertiliser shock (where prices go up dramatically and supply goes down) – and, by extension, a direct risk to global food security. -- Conversation

9 March 2026 at 14:32 IST

Iran War LIVE: Indonesia not planning to raise subsidised fuel price for now, says Minister

Iran War LIVE: Indonesian ‌Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said ⁠on Monday (March 9, 2026) the ‌country’s fuel ‌supply ‌is adequate ⁠and ⁠there is no plan to ‌raise subsidised fuel prices until ‌Eid al-Fitr, state news agency ⁠Antara reported.

Eid ‌al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan, ‌falls at the end of ⁠next week.

9 March 2026 at 14:32 IST

Iran War LIVE: Crude oil prices spike above $115 a barrel before falling back slightly

Iran War LIVE: Oil prices spiked near $120 per barrel before falling back slightly on Monday (March 9, 2026) as the Iran war intensified, threatening production and shipping in the Middle East and pummelling financial markets.

The price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, surged to $119.50 per barrel but later was trading at $112.98.

West Texas Intermediate, the light, sweet crude oil produced in the United States, spiked at $119.48 per barrel but fell back to $110.17.

Oil prices have surged as the war, now in its second week, ensnares countries and places that are critical to the production and movement of oil and gas from the Persian Gulf.

Roughly 15 million barrels of crude oil — about 20% of the world’s oil — typically are shipped every day through the Strait of Hormuz, according to independent research firm Rystad Energy.

9 March 2026 at 14:30 IST

Iran War LIVE: Indonesia will absorb shock from oil price increase, says Finance Ministry

Iran War LIVE:‌ Indonesia will ⁠absorb the shock ‌from ‌oil ‌price ⁠increases ⁠using its ‌state budget, its Finance ‌Minister Purbaya ⁠Yudhi Sadewa ‌said on ‌Monday (March 9, 2026).

9 March 2026 at 14:30 IST

Iran War LIVE: Japan's Nikkei closes down over 5%, Kospi nearly 6%

Iran War LIVE: Japan’s Nikkei index of stocks closed down more than 5% and South Korea’s Kospi by 6% on Monday (March 9, 2026), on the back of turmoil in West Asia.

At the end of trading, the Nikkei 225 was 5.2% lower at 52,728.72 points. The Kospi ended the day 5.96% lower at 5,251.87 points.

9 March 2026 at 14:29 IST

Iran War LIVE: Vietnam mulls removing fuel duties as West Asia war hits supplies

Iran War LIVE: Vietnam is considering a plan to scrap tariffs on fuel imports, the government said, as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran disrupts oil supplies and pushes prices to their highest level since 2022.

The Ministry of Finance said on Sunday (March 8) it had drafted a decree that would slash import tax rates to zero on some petroleum products to “help stabilise the domestic market and ensure national energy security”.

“If the conflict continues and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz persists, alternative supplies on the international market will become scarce and risk driving prices up,” it said in a statement, referring to the waterway through which a fifth of global crude usually passes.

9 March 2026 at 14:29 IST

Iran War LIVE: G7 countries mull joint release on oil release

Iran War LIVE: G7 Finance Ministers to discuss coordinated emergency oil reserve release amid surging prices and market instability.

9 March 2026 at 14:27 IST

Iran War LIVE: Bahrain's state oil company declares force majeure on its shipments after Iran attack

Iran War LIVE: Bahrain’s state oil company declared force majeure on Monday (March 9, 2026) for its shipments after an Iranian attack set its refinery ablaze.

The state-run Bahrain News Agency carried the announcement of the force majeure, a legal manoeuvre that releases a company from its contractual obligations because of extraordinary circumstances.

It said the company’s operations “have been affected by the ongoing regional conflict in West Asia and the recent attack on its refinery complex.” It insisted that local demand could still be met.

9 March 2026 at 14:27 IST

Iran War LIVE: Japan considers steps to cushion economy from West Asia conflict, says PM Takaichi

Iran War LIVE: Japan will consider steps to cushion ‌the economic blow from rising fuel costs caused ⁠by the conflict in West Asia, including curbing gasoline prices, Prime Minister ‌Sanae Takaichi said on Monday (March 9, 2026).

“Many people are worried ‌about rising gasoline prices,” Ms Takaichi ‌told ⁠Parliament. “Taking this into account, ⁠the government has been considering since last week what steps it can take.”

“We’re considering steps ‌to avoid gasoline prices from rising to levels intolerable for the public,” she said, adding that ‌such measures could be funded by tapping reserves.

Ms Takaichi ruled out overhauling the ⁠government’s draft fiscal 2026 budget, which is now being deliberated in ‌Parliament, or compiling a stopgap budget to fund the measures.

9 March 2026 at 14:21 IST

Iran War LIVE: Governments scramble to limit fallout of Iran war as oil prices surge

Iran War LIVE: Governments in Asia are scrambling to limit the impact on economies and consumers ‌from the widening Iran war, which fuelled a record surge in oil prices on Monday (March 9, 2026) after key producers cut output and Tehran signalled that hardliners will remain in ⁠charge. In South Korea, which buys 70% of its oil from the Middle East, President Lee Jae Myung said Seoul would cap fuel prices for the first time in nearly 30 years and warned against panic buying.

Speaking at an ‌emergency meeting, Lee called the crisis “a significant burden on our economy, which is highly dependent on global trade and energy imports from the Middle East.” A senior Japanese parliament ‌member said on Sunday that the government had instructed a national oil reserve storage site ‌to prepare ⁠for a possible crude release, although the country’s chief cabinet secretary said on Monday ⁠(March 9) that no decision had been made to release stockpiles. Japan imports around 95% of its oil from West Asia. It has reserves to cover 354 days of consumption. Elsewhere, Vietnam removed import tariffs on fuels and Bangladesh shut universities to conserve electricity and fuel, while China last week asked refiners ‌to halt fuel exports and try to cancel shipments already committed.

9 March 2026 at 14:20 IST

Iran War LIVE: Donald Trump downplays U.S. price surge

Iran War LIVE: U.S. President Donald Trump tried to tamp down concern about rising U.S. gasoline prices, which were up 11% for the week on Friday (March 6, 2026), while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on him to sell oil ‌from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. 

“Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace,” Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social on ⁠Sunday night. “ONLY FOOLS WOULD THINK DIFFERENTLY!” 

Oil jumped 25%, with Brent on track for a record one-day gain, after Iran on Monday named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader, while OPEC ‌producers Kuwait and Iraq cut oil output during the weekend as the crucial Strait of Hormuz remained effectively shut.

9 March 2026 at 14:20 IST

Iran War LIVE: Bangladesh to close all Universities

Iran War LIVE: Bangladesh will close all universities from Monday (March 9, 2026), ‌bringing forward the Eid al-Fitr holidays as part of emergency measures to conserve electricity and fuel.

9 March 2026 at 14:19 IST

Iran War LIVE: Vietnam to remove fuel import tariffs

Iran War LIVE: Vietnam is planning to ‌remove import tariffs on fuels to ensure supplies amid disruptions, the government said, adding that the measure is expected ⁠to last until the end of April.

9 March 2026 at 14:18 IST

Iran War LIVE: Japan tells national oil reserve site to prepare for release

Iran War LIVE: The Japanese government instructed a national ⁠oil reserve storage site to prepare for a possible release of crude, Akira Nagatsuma, a ‌member of the Centrist Reform Alliance opposition party, told Reuters on Sunday (March 8, 2026).

Details such as the timing of the release remain unclear, Nagatsuma said

9 March 2026 at 14:16 IST

Iran War LIVE: South Korea plans fuel cap

Iran War LIVE: South Korean President ‌Lee Jae Myung said on ‌Monday (March 9, 2026) ⁠that authorities would cap domestic fuel ⁠prices for the first time in nearly 30 years. The country will also look for sources of energy beyond supplies ‌shipped via the Strait of Hormuz, and a 100 trillion won ($67 billion) market-stabilisation programme should be expanded if needed, he ‌added.

9 March 2026 at 14:15 IST

Iran War LIVE: Smoke rises from Bahrain's Bapco oil refinery

Iran War LIVE: Thick smoke was seen ‌rising from the direction ⁠of the Bapco oil refinery ‌in Bahrain on ‌Monday, ‌a witness ⁠said.

Smoke ⁠surrounded the refinery after the government ‌earlier said injuries and damage were sustained ‌in the Sitra area as a result ⁠of an Iranian ‌drone attack, the witness added.

Bapco is Bahrain’s ‌main oil refinery and a key ⁠facility in the country’s ⁠energy sector.

9 March 2026 at 14:15 IST

Iran War LIVE: Gold prices fall 1.5% as dollar firms, rate-cut optimism fades

Iran War LIVE: Gold fell on Monday (March 9, 2026), as a stronger U.S. dollar weighed on ⁠the greenback-priced bullion, while higher energy costs fuelled inflation concerns and further dimmed the prospects for near-term reductions in interest rates.

Spot gold was ‌down 1.5% at $5,091.02 per ounce, as of 0233 GMT, after falling more than 2% earlier in the ‌session. U.S. gold futures for April delivery were down ‌1.2% ⁠at $5,097.40.

The dollar rose to a more-than-three-month high, making bullion ⁠more expensive for holders of other currencies.

The U.S. 10-year Treasury yields climbed to a one-month high, raising the cost of holding non-yielding gold.

“Gold is on the back foot today ‌despite the market tumult, with triple-digit oil prices boosting the dollar on inflation fears and scaled back rate-cutting expectations,” said Tim Waterer, KCM Trade chief market analyst.

“Much of gold’s price rise over the last 12 months was predicated ‌on a dovish outlook for U.S. interest rates, but given the inflation risk presented by $100 per barrel oil, rate cuts are no longer a given and gold has repriced accordingly,” Waterer said.

Investors expect the U.S. Federal Reserve to keep interest rates steady at the end of its two-day meeting on ‌March 18, as per CME Group’s FedWatch tool. The odds of a June hold, which were below 43% last week, climbed to more than 51%.

Bullion tends to thrive in ⁠a low-interest-rate environment as it is a non-yielding asset.

Raising geopolitical tensions ⁠in the Middle East, Iran on Monday named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father, Ali Khamenei, as supreme leader, ‌signalling that hardliners remain firmly in charge.

Spot silver dropped 1.5% to $83.09 per ounce. Spot platinum fell 1.1% to $2,111.04, and palladium was down 1.4% at $1,603.25.

9 March 2026 at 14:14 IST

Iran War LIVE: Hong Kong, China stocks tumble as Iran war knocks Asian markets

Iran War LIVE: Hong Kong stocks hit six-month lows on Monday (March 9, 2026) while China shares wiped out this year’s gains as ‌the escalating war in West Asia sent oil prices soaring and dampened risk ⁠appetite in markets across Asia.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was down 3% by the lunch break, with energy the ‌only sector to rise.

China’s blue-chip CSI300 Index fell 2%, having hit the lowest level ‌since December, while the Shanghai Composite Index ‌lost ⁠1%.

Meanwhile, China’s yuan hit the weakest ⁠level in a month against the rebounding dollar. Asian equities tumbled on prospects that the West Asia war could leave consumers and businesses worldwide facing weeks ‌or months of higher fuel prices, threatening an already fragile global economy.

“The war has reduced risk appetite,” Deng Lijun, strategist at Huajin Securities, told ‌investors in a road show.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty, especially regarding how long the conflict will last.” Investors largely ignored data ⁠showing China’s consumer inflation accelerated to the highest in more than three years on the back of ‌the Lunar New Year holiday, while producer deflation persisted. Sentiment was not helped by reports that a summit this month between U.S. President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping was unlikely to yield a breakthrough in bilateral ties. Meanwhile, the ongoing annual ‌parliament meeting in Beijing suggested China was in no hurry to roll out major fiscal or monetary stimulus.

Chipmakers, healthcare companies and property developers were ⁠among the worst performers in Hong Kong.

In China, resource-related ⁠sectors such as energy , coal and cement rose, but tech shares tumbled.

However, Huajin Securities’ Deng ‌said that the long-term uptrend of China’s stock market had not ended, citing policy support and improving corporate earnings.

9 March 2026 at 14:13 IST

Iran War LIVE: Shares of Indian refiners tumble as crude surges on widening Iran war

Iran War LIVE: Shares of Indian refiners slumped on Monday (March 9, 2026), as the widening U.S.-Israeli war with Iran ‌propelled Brent crude prices toward $120 per barrel — a near four-year high — threatening their ⁠near-term earnings.

State-run Indian Oil dipped 6.6%, Hindustan Petroleum slid 7.5%, and Bharat Petroleum dropped 7.1%, and were ‌headed for their steepest falls in more than a year.

Reliance Industries ‌lost 2%.

UBS said oil marketing companies are “negatively leveraged” to the crude spike as they ‌sell more diesel and gasoline than they produce, estimating sales-to-production ratios at 1:2 for IOC and BPCL and 2:2 for HPCL.

The ‌brokerage cut IOC and BPCL to “neutral” and BPCL to “sell” from “buy”.

The rout dragged the Nifty oil and gas ⁠index down 2.7% and the energy index 2.1% lower, while the benchmark Nifty 50 slid ‌2.8%. The oil and gas index has fallen 6.6% since the U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran on February 27.

Citi warned that refiners’ earnings will hinge on how long the geopolitical shock lasts, flagging risks from ‌a potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz and any shutdown of Qatar’s LNG output - each supplying about half of India’s ⁠crude and LNG imports.

Any disruption beyond the one ⁠month currently priced in could sharply tighten LNG markets, with low European ‌storage for October 2026 raising the risk of “non-linear” price spikes, the brokerage added.

9 March 2026 at 14:12 IST

Iran War LIVE: U.S. urged India to buy Russian oil already at sea to ease supply fears: Energy Secretary

Iran War LIVE: The U.S. has urged India to buy Russian oil already floating at sea and redirect it to Indian refineries to “tamp down” fears of supply shortages and price spikes amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, Energy Secretary Chris Wright has said.

However, the move, he said, is a short-term, pragmatic effort to stabilise the market and did not signal any change in Washington’s policy towards Russia.

In an interview with CNN on Sunday (March 8, 2026), Mr Wright said he, along with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, had spoken to Indian authorities about buying Russian crude cargoes currently waiting to be unloaded at Chinese refineries.

9 March 2026 at 14:11 IST

Iran War LIVE: IMF's Georgieva warns West Asia conflict could push global inflation higher

Iran War LIVE: IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva ‌on Monday (March 9, 2026) warned of inflation ⁠risks from the Middle East conflict, ‌saying a 10% increase ‌in oil ‌prices, if ⁠persistent through ⁠most of the year, would result in a 40-basis-point ‌increase in global inflation.

“We are seeing resilience ‌tested again by the new conflict in the ⁠Middle East,” Ms Georgieva said, ‌speaking in a symposium hosted by Japan’s finance ministry.

“My advice to policymakers ‌in this new global environment is to think of ⁠the unthinkable and ⁠prepare for it,” she ‌said.

9 March 2026 at 14:11 IST

Iran War LIVE: Rupee crashes 46 paise to 92.28 against U.S. dollar, nears all-time low

Iran War LIVE: The rupee plummeted 46 paise to near its all-time intra-day low of 92.28 against the U.S. dollar in early trade on Monday (March 9, 2026) as global crude oil prices shot up and the greenback strengthened amid the worsening situation in the Middle East.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading higher by a staggering 25.68% at $116.5 per barrel in futures trade as the war between U.S.-Israel and Iran intensified.

A big surge in FII outflows and a crash at the domestic equity market in morning trade put further pressure in the local unit, forex traders said.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 92.22 against the US dollar before declining further to 92.28, down 46 paise from its previous close. The rupee had hit an all-time intra-day low of 92.35 on March 4.

The rupee depreciated 18 paise against the US dollar on Friday to close at 91.82 against the American currency.

9 March 2026 at 14:10 IST

Iran War LIVE: WTI crude oil price jumps more than 30% on Mideast War

Iran War LIVE: The price of the main U.S. benchmark for oil surged more than 30% on Monday over concerns that the Middle East war could create prolonged supply disruptions.

At 0230 GMT, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was up 30.04 per cent at $118.21 per barrel, before easing slightly, while Brent Crude was 27.54 per cent higher at $118.22.

9 March 2026 at 14:10 IST

Iran War LIVE: Investors sell big as crude touches $100/bbl

Iran War LIVE: Investors in the Indian stock market sold big at open, pushing the benchmark indices down by 3% on March 9, 2026.

Nifty opened at 23,868.05 points, dow,n and Sensex at 77,056.75 points. As of 9:37 a.m, they’re trading at 23,769 points and 76,715.44 points. These levels are amongst the lowest in nearly 6 months.

Barring a few hundred stocks, all of them are declining since opening at 9:00 a.m

9 March 2026 at 14:06 IST

Iran War LIVE: Crude oil prices surpass $114 a barrel as Iran war impedes production, shipping

Iran War LIVE: Oil prices eclipsed $114 per barrel for the first time since 2022 on Monday (March 9, 2026) as the Iran war intensified, threatening production and shipping in West Asia.

The price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, surged past $114 after trading resumed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. That was up 23% from its Friday (March 6) closing price of $92.69.

9 March 2026 at 14:04 IST

Iran War LIVE: Asian equities plunge as oil soars 30% on West Asia crisis

Iran War LIVE: Asian stock markets plunged on Monday (March 9, 2026) as oil prices soared 30% on fears about supplies from West Asia, as the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran continued into a second week with no sign of letting up.

Investors, already spooked by concerns over extended tech valuations and the huge spending on AI, ran for the hills as crude rocketed to its highest level since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Published By : Namya Kapur

Published On: 9 March 2026 at 14:25 IST