{"id":59930,"date":"2026-03-18T17:38:24","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T21:38:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-markets-shaken-by-iranian-strikes-on-energy-sites-us-mexico-launch-usmca-review\/59930\/"},"modified":"2026-03-18T17:38:24","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T21:38:24","slug":"global-markets-shaken-by-iranian-strikes-on-energy-sites-us-mexico-launch-usmca-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-markets-shaken-by-iranian-strikes-on-energy-sites-us-mexico-launch-usmca-review\/59930\/","title":{"rendered":"Global Markets Shaken by Iranian Strikes on Energy Sites; US-Mexico Launch USMCA Review"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Brent crude prices surged 4% to $108 per barrel<\/strong> following reports of strikes on Iran\u2019s <strong>South Pars<\/strong> gas field and subsequent Iranian threats against regional oil infrastructure where the U.S. holds interests.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Qatar has expelled Iranian diplomats<\/strong> and declared them <em>persona non grata<\/em> after a missile strike caused extensive damage at the <strong>Ras Laffan<\/strong> LNG facility, the world&#39;s largest.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The UK Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)<\/strong> charged two men under the National Security Act for alleged Iranian-linked espionage and reconnaissance activities targeting the London Jewish community.<\/li>\n<li><strong>U.S. and Mexican trade officials<\/strong> initiated technical discussions for the <strong>USMCA 2026 Review<\/strong>, prioritizing manufacturing jobs and the exclusion of &quot;non-market&quot; supply chain inputs like those from China.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Middle East Energy Conflict Escalates<\/h2>\n<p>Global energy markets are in turmoil after Iran\u2019s <strong>Tasnim News Agency<\/strong> confirmed that the <strong>South Pars<\/strong> gas field was targeted in a strike reportedly coordinated between Israel and the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/live\/trump-stock-market\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Trump\">Trump<\/a> administration<\/strong>. In immediate retaliation, Tehran claimed strikes on oil sites with <strong>U.S. interests<\/strong> and warned that facilities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar are now &quot;legitimate targets.&quot;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Brent crude<\/strong> jumped to <strong>$108 a barrel<\/strong>, while <strong>WTI<\/strong> rose 1.7% to <strong>$97<\/strong>, as traders price in prolonged disruptions through the <strong>Strait of Hormuz<\/strong>. Energy giants including ExxonMobil (<a href=\"\/stock\/XOM\">XOM<\/a>), Chevron (<a href=\"\/stock\/CVX\">CVX<\/a>), and Shell (<a href=\"\/stock\/SHEL\">SHEL<\/a>) are monitoring the situation closely as Iran\u2019s military urged civilians to evacuate major industrial zones across the Gulf.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Qatar<\/strong> has taken the unprecedented step of expelling Iranian military and security attach\u00e9s, giving them <strong>24 hours to leave the country<\/strong>. This diplomatic rupture follows a missile strike on the <strong>Ras Laffan<\/strong> industrial city that ignited a massive fire at a critical liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant. Qatar\u2019s Foreign Ministry warned of &quot;additional measures&quot; if Iran continues its hostile approach, which it described as a &quot;brazen violation of sovereignty.&quot;<\/p>\n<h2>UK Charges Two in Iran-Linked Espionage Plot<\/h2>\n<p>The <strong>UK Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)<\/strong> has authorized charges against <strong>Nematollah Shahsavani<\/strong>, 40, and <strong>Alireza Farasati<\/strong>, 22, under the <strong>National Security Act 2023<\/strong>. The men are accused of conducting intelligence activities and reconnaissance on targets linked to the Jewish community in London between July and August 2025.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Metropolitan Police\u2019s Counter Terrorism Command<\/strong> led the investigation, which resulted in the arrests of the two men earlier this month. Authorities stated the conduct was &quot;likely to assist a foreign intelligence service,&quot; specifically identifying <strong>Iran<\/strong> as the state actor involved. The defendants are scheduled to appear at <strong>Westminster Magistrates\u2019 Court<\/strong> on March 19, 2026.<\/p>\n<h2>US-Mexico Begin High-Stakes USMCA Review<\/h2>\n<p>U.S. Trade Representative <strong>Jamieson Greer<\/strong> and Mexican Secretary of Economy <strong>Marcelo Ebrard<\/strong> met in Washington to launch technical discussions ahead of the <strong>USMCA Joint Review<\/strong> on July 1. The talks are focused on boosting <strong>North American manufacturing jobs<\/strong> and strengthening rules of origin for strategic sectors like semiconductors and electric vehicles.<\/p>\n<p>A primary objective for the U.S. is limiting &quot;non-market inputs&quot; into regional supply chains, a clear reference to the expanding presence of <strong>Chinese companies<\/strong> in Mexico. The review will determine if the trade agreement is extended to <strong>2042<\/strong> or if it will face grueling annual renegotiations. <em>Market analysts suggest that any breakdown in these talks could trigger significant volatility for companies with integrated cross-border operations.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways Brent crude prices surged 4% to $108 per barrel following reports of strikes on Iran\u2019s South Pars gas 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