Wall Street took a sharp and unexpected turn lower by midday Tuesday as geopolitical fears surged following an Axios News report that President Donald Trump will meet with his national security team in the White House Situation Room to decide U.S. policy regarding the escalating war between Israel and Iran.
According to Axios, U.S. officials said Trump is seriously considering direct military intervention, including a potential strike on Iran’s underground uranium enrichment facility in Fordow. The situation began unfolding after Trump abruptly left the G7 summit in Canada late Monday and called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” on Tuesday.
Iran swiftly responded by ordering evacuations in Tel Aviv and Haifa, intensifying fears of regional war.
Major U.S. stock indexes fell in midday trading, as investors digested the threat of U.S. involvement in another Middle East conflict.