WSJ: U.S. military preparing Iran strike options despite Trump's no-attack pledge; Brent tops $111, Asian stocks tumble
What happened
The Wall Street Journal reported, citing officials familiar with the planning, that the U.S. military has been preparing options for strikes on Iran — despite President Trump's public statement that the U.S. won't attack Iran before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Two aircraft carrier strike groups are already in the Middle East, with a third heading there from the Pacific. Saudi authorities blamed Iran-backed Houthi militants for an attack on a civilian airport that resulted in casualties, and the U.S. ordered nonemergency government employees and families to leave Saudi Arabia. Trump added fuel by saying the U.S. was 'not negotiating' with Iran and that a development could come 'fairly soon.' Front-month Brent crude jumped 2.1% to $111.12 a barrel and WTI rose 1.9% to $98.96, with U.S. crude inventories falling a larger-than-expected 3.1 million barrels last week, per EIA data released Wednesday.
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Start your free 14-day trialWho’s affected
- Broad market risk-off: U.S. equity futures lower (S&P e-minis -0.4%, Nasdaq futures poised to fall 450+ points premarket)
- Asian equities sharply lower (Kospi -4.0%, Nikkei -2.35%, Hang Seng -3.2%, Hang Seng Tech -5%, Shanghai -1.6%). Oil/energy names supported by higher crude; airlines and fuel-exposed consumers hurt by $110+ Brent; defense contractors may benefit from strike-prep posture.