{"id":59267,"date":"2026-02-28T20:38:31","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T00:38:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/middle-east-conflict-escalates-iran-launches-missile-barrage-at-israel-after-us-israeli-strikes\/59267\/"},"modified":"2026-02-28T20:38:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T00:38:31","slug":"middle-east-conflict-escalates-iran-launches-missile-barrage-at-israel-after-us-israeli-strikes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/middle-east-conflict-escalates-iran-launches-missile-barrage-at-israel-after-us-israeli-strikes\/59267\/","title":{"rendered":"Middle East Conflict Escalates: Iran Launches Missile Barrage at Israel After US-Israeli Strikes"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Iran launched a massive retaliatory missile attack targeting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on February 28, following a joint US-Israeli preemptive strike.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Brent crude oil futures surged past $80 per barrel in early trading, with analysts warning of a spike toward $120 if the Strait of Hormuz is obstructed.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Safe-haven assets reached record highs, with <a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/metal\/gold\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"gold price today\">Gold<\/a> (<a href=\"\/stock\/GLD\">GLD<\/a>) trading above $5,290 per ounce as investors fled riskier equities.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Defense contractors including Lockheed Martin (<a href=\"\/stock\/LMT\">LMT<\/a>) and RTX Corporation (<a href=\"\/stock\/RTX\">RTX<\/a>) are seeing heavy volume following the successful deployment of interceptor systems.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Regional airspaces have been closed indefinitely, grounding major carriers and impacting logistics for aerospace giant Boeing (<a href=\"\/stock\/BA\">BA<\/a>).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Air raid sirens wailed across <strong>Tel Aviv<\/strong> and central <strong>Israel<\/strong> late Saturday night as <strong>Iran<\/strong> launched a significant barrage of ballistic missiles in retaliation for a joint US-Israeli military operation. Interceptor missiles were seen lighting up the skies over <strong>Jerusalem<\/strong>, where the <strong>Israel Defense Forces (IDF)<\/strong> confirmed multiple successful engagements by the <strong>Arrow 3<\/strong> and <strong>Iron Dome<\/strong> defense systems.<\/p>\n<p>The escalation follows &quot;Operation Epic Fury,&quot; a massive preemptive strike by the <strong>United States<\/strong> and <strong>Israel<\/strong> on Saturday morning that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities and military command centers. Reports from the region suggest the strikes resulted in the death of senior Iranian leadership, prompting <strong>Tehran<\/strong> to declare all US and Israeli assets in the region as &quot;legitimate targets.&quot;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Energy markets<\/strong> reacted with immediate volatility as traders braced for potential supply disruptions in the <strong>Persian Gulf<\/strong>. Brent crude prices jumped more than <strong>10%<\/strong> to test the <strong>$80-$90<\/strong> range, while the United States Oil Fund (<a href=\"\/stock\/USO\">USO<\/a>) is expected to gap significantly higher at the next market open. <em>Market participants are particularly concerned about the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint responsible for nearly 20% of global oil consumption.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Defense stocks are positioned for a sharp rally as the conflict underscores the demand for advanced missile defense technology. Lockheed Martin (<a href=\"\/stock\/LMT\">LMT<\/a>) and RTX Corporation (<a href=\"\/stock\/RTX\">RTX<\/a>), the primary contractors for the <strong>Patriot<\/strong> and <strong>Arrow<\/strong> systems, are seeing increased investor interest in overnight &quot;gray market&quot; trading. Northrop Grumman (<a href=\"\/stock\/NOC\">NOC<\/a>) and General Dynamics (<a href=\"\/stock\/GD\">GD<\/a>) are also expected to see gains as the <strong>Pentagon<\/strong> moves to replenish munitions and interceptor stockpiles.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Safe-haven assets<\/strong> surged as the &quot;risk-off&quot; sentiment took hold of global desks. Gold (<a href=\"\/stock\/GLD\">GLD<\/a>) climbed to an unprecedented <strong>$5,296 per ounce<\/strong>, marking an <strong>11%<\/strong> gain for the month of February alone. <em>The US Dollar and Swiss Franc also appreciated against emerging market currencies, reflecting a classic flight to quality during periods of geopolitical upheaval.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The aviation sector faces immediate headwinds as airspace closures across the <strong>Middle East<\/strong> disrupt international flight paths. Boeing (<a href=\"\/stock\/BA\">BA<\/a>) shares may face pressure as regional airlines, including <strong>El Al<\/strong> and major Gulf carriers, suspend operations indefinitely. <em>Investors are closely watching for any signs of further escalation that could draw in additional regional powers, which would likely lead to a protracted period of market instability.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways Iran launched a massive retaliatory missile attack targeting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on February 28, following a joint 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