Mumbai/IBNS-CMEDIA: The Indian stock market remained volatile in early trading on Friday amid persistent geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
At the opening bell, the BSE Sensex climbed more than 150 points before erasing its gains and slipping into the red. The index later returned to positive territory but continued to trade marginally higher amid choppy movements.
The NSE Nifty 50 mirrored the trend, giving up its early gains and hovering around the 24,250 level.
Trump escalates pressure on Iran
The market remained volatile as US President Donald Trump escalated his pressure campaign against Iran, declaring what he called an “ECONOMIC D-DAY” and warning that countries helping Tehran could face severe economic consequences.
Trump said the US would launch the “most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country”, targeting Iran’s oil smuggling, financial transactions, exchange houses, ship registries and front companies.
Warning to countries supporting Iran
Trump warned that any country, company, financial institution, airport or government entity providing a “lifeline” to Iran could face “tremendous economic consequences.”
He accused Tehran of failing to accept a deal and reiterated that Iran “will never have a nuclear weapon.”
Strait of Hormuz crisis
The warning comes amid the continuing US-Iran conflict, the unresolved crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and stalled diplomatic efforts.
The developments have heightened concerns in global markets over energy supplies, particularly crude oil, and the potential impact of further escalation in West Asia.
US plans tougher sanctions
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has separately announced plans for what he described as the “toughest sanctions in history.”
Washington is also pressing China and other countries to help isolate Iran, adding to uncertainty over global trade, energy markets and investor sentiment.
Against this backdrop, Indian equities remained volatile as investors assessed the potential economic and geopolitical fallout from the escalating US-Iran tensions.
