The escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, caused by US and Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, provoked an increase in geopolitical tensions and movement in global markets. The cost of Brent at one point exceeded $81, and Goldman Sachs warned that in the case of blocking the Strait of Hormuz, the price of a barrel could temporarily reach $110. Bitcoin, in turn, fell below $99,000, and gold, traditionally considered a "safe haven," initially rose in price but then retreated slightly as investors questioned the likelihood of further escalation. These and other topics are in our review of key events for the morning of June 23.

Top story for the morning: Goldman predicts oil at $110, bitcoin and gold prices fall


Chevron Corporation

Shell plc

Exxon Mobil Corporation

The price of oil rose sharply after the Iranian parliament threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, the world's main oil artery, in response to U.S. strikes on the country's nuclear facilities. U.S. index futures fell. Most analysts agree that Tehran is unlikely to move to block oil exports and assume that the response will be moderate and will not lead to further escalation. Nevertheless, there are already calculations for other scenarios.

Oil prices jump after Iran strikes, U.S. index futures decline

On the night of June 22, the United States struck three nuclear sites in Iran. As <a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-israel-conflict-latest-news/card/washington-delivering-public-and-private-messages-to-iran-about-peace-talks-hegseth-says-kM2btYpdWgrOnBGcmWEz">wrote</a> The Wall Street Journal, through Arab countries, Washington informed Tehran</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://oninvest.com/article/ssa-zaavili-iranu-cto-ih-ataka-byla-razovoj-i-ne-oznacaet-nacalo-vojny-wsj">that the attack was a one-off and that it was now possible to return to negotiations on the nuclear deal. However, whether this message had the effect the White House hoped for is still unclear: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi <a href="https://uk.news.yahoo.com/diplomacy-not-option-warns-iran-100401737.html">excluded</a> a diplomatic way to resolve the issue after the US strikes. Trump himself urged Iran to go for a peaceful solution to the issue, otherwise <a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-israel-conflict-latest-news/card/read-the-transcript-of-trump-s-address-after-the-u-s-strikes-in-iran-f0k2vlpbxnEV1cMiFHC9?mod=Searchresults_pos2&amp;page=1">threatened</a>&nbsp; "larger" attacks.&nbsp;

Why the oil market didn't believe in a major war in the Middle East

BP p.l.c.

The U.S. joining the Israeli strikes on Iran is a sharp but so far controllable spike in geopolitical risk. The main question is whether there will be an Iranian response. According to Middle Eastern logic, it is inevitable - it is a matter of prestige and pressure from within, argues Astero Falcon portfolio manager Alyona Nikolaeva. What scenarios are possible, who will benefit from the escalation of the conflict and what to expect investors after the start of trading - in this material.

"A phase of nervous anticipation": three scenarios for Iran and who stands to gain from escalation

The US intervention in the Iranian-Israeli conflict has increased risks for the markets. Oninvest analyst Konstantin Gnennyi discusses what investors should pay attention to after the resumption of trading at the beginning of the week.

Escalating crisis in Iran: what will happen to oil and gas and whether there is a threat of radiation

The U.S. on the night of June 22 <a href="https://oninvest.com/article/ssa-vstupili-v-vojnu-s-iranom-cto-budet-s-cenami-na-neft">joined</a> Israel's attacks on Iran, hitting three key sites in Iran's nuclear program. President Donald Trump, who just the other day <a href="https://oninvest.com/article/glavnoe-k-utru-dedlajn-trampa-neft-mozet-probit-90-meta-ohotitsa-za-talantami">took</a> two weeks to make a decision, said the U.S. had "finished" bombing Iran's uranium enrichment plants and hoped the U.S. military's involvement would no longer be needed. At the same time, he threatened more attacks if Tehran did not make peace. Arab diplomats have conveyed to Iran that it is time for it to return to negotiations, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-israel-conflict-latest-news/card/arabs-convey-message-to-iran-the-attack-is-over-time-to-talk-6I1gu3n9sc3INHX8HAxO">sources told</a> The Wall Street Journal. Iran in turn <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/live-blog/2025-06-22/middle-east-latest?srnd=homepage-europe">declared</a> that it was "reserving all options for defense" and fired again at Israel on the morning of June 22.&nbsp;

Oil at $100 and a flight to "safe havens": what to expect on Wall Street after US strikes on Iran

Meta Platforms, Inc.

Donald Trump has said that a decision on US participation in attacks on Iran will be made in the next two weeks. Markets reacted with restraint: trading is mixed in Asia, with Brent crude holding at $77 per barrel - although Citigroup analysts warn that the price could jump to $90 if the Strait of Hormuz is closed. In parallel, Meta continues its aggressive race for AI talent, poaching key figures from competing startups. About these and other topics - in our review of key events by the morning of June 20.

Highlights for the morning: Trump's deadline, oil may break $90, Meta hunts for talent


Analysts warn of a sharp market reaction if Trump orders a strike on Iran

The U.S. may join the operation against Iran. What scenarios are expected on Wall Street

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

Moderna, Inc.

CNBC has calculated which stocks to sell and which to buy over the next month after oil prices spike

Best and worst: which stocks are benefiting and which are losing from the surge in oil prices

Morgan Stanley

Conflict will take a back seat in investors' minds thanks to improved corporate earnings forecasts

Morgan Stanley does not expect stocks to collapse on the Iranian crisis. What could change the forecast?

In the early morning hours of June 13, Israeli Air Force fighter jets <a href="https://oninvest.com/article/glavnoe-za-nedelu-konflikt-izraila-i-irana-krusenie-dreamliner-kadry-dla-meta">attacked</a> Iran. The attack was prompted by reports that Tehran is close to developing nuclear weapons. Today is the sixth day of escalating conflict between the two countries. Military action in the Middle East traditionally causes oil prices to spike. This time was no exception - immediately after the news of the attack appeared, Brent quotes jumped by 13% and at one point exceeded $78.&nbsp;

The price of fear: How the Israel-Iran war will further affect oil prices

Var Energi ASA

Harbour Energy plc

Ithaca Energy plc

The Bank notes growing investor interest in non-Middle Eastern companies in the oil and gas extraction sector