Frankfurt Open: Losses mount as war teeters between threats and diplomacy The tentative relief seen mid-week evaporated across European equity markets on Thursday. Brent crude, which had slipped below the 100 dollar mark on Wednesday morning, is once again trading significantly above that threshold. Amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, oil remains the primary barometer for market anxieties regarding inflation and economic growth. Consequently, the Dax resumed its downward trajectory. The German benchmark index fell by approximately one percent to 22,737 points. It remains within Monday's range, a session characterized by spectacular volatility where conflicting news flow caused a 1,300-point swing. After hitting a wartime low of 21,863 points, the index had staged a sharp intraday recovery to 23,178 points. The Middle East conflict continues to oscillate between escalation and diplomatic efforts. The US administration has threatened Iran with even more severe strikes should the country's leadership fail to capitulate. "If they do not realize that they have been defeated militarily and will continue to be, President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than ever before," said government spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. While "productive" discussions continue at a diplomatic level, she noted that despite these negotiations, Trump is prepared to let hell break loose in Iran. The MDax, which tracks German mid-caps, retreated 1.2 percent to 28,470 points on Thursday, while the Eurozone's blue-chip EuroStoxx 50 index shed 0.8 percent. On Wall Street, the focus remains on the broader implications of the Middle East conflict, with investors closely monitoring developments that could further impact global markets.#iran #karoline_leavitt #middle_east_conflict #us_administration #frankfurt_open
