Trump Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum to Iran to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump has intensified geopolitical tensions by issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping. This move follows ten days of escalating military conflict, including US strikes on Iranian oil infrastructure and naval assets. In a significant escalation, the US has now identified Iranian power plants as potential military targets should the deadline expire without compliance. Global markets are bracing for a potential direct military confrontation, fueling a significant risk-off sentiment across asset classes. Investors are closely monitoring upcoming Euro area consumer confidence data for March to assess the economic fallout from the conflict. Additionally, Japanese inflation data is expected to show the impact of surging energy prices caused by the disruption of this critical maritime chokepoint. The situation continues to drive demand for safe-haven assets like XAU/USD while placing heavy pressure on global equities.

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