Panic Surges! Sharp Decline Over 2000 Points, US and European Stock Markets Plummet

Global stock markets plummeted.

On March 3rd, European major markets opened sharply lower. As of press time, the UK FTSE 100 index fell nearly 3%, down over 300 points; France’s CAC 40 index dropped more than 2.8%, down 238.1 points; Germany’s DAX index declined over 3.6%, nearly 900 points; Italy’s FTSE MIB index fell over 4%, down more than 2000 points.

Additionally, major U.S. stock index futures all declined. Dow futures and S&P 500 futures both fell over 1.5%, Nasdaq 100 futures dropped over 2%.

The VIX fear index surged significantly, rising nearly 24% as of press time.

In the commodities market, precious metals all declined, with spot gold down over 1% and spot silver down over 6%.

Both WTI and Brent crude oil prices surged.

Israeli military launches大量弹药at core Iranian institutions

The Israel Defense Forces issued a statement on March 3rd saying that the air force struck core Iranian government facilities in downtown Tehran the previous evening, throwing大量弹药at the presidential palace and the Supreme National Security Council buildings.

According to CCTV News, the IDF claimed that about 100 fighter jets dropped over 250 bombs on the complex.

Iran claims to have shot down 29 US and Israeli drones

Iranian media reported on March 3rd that the Islamic Republic of Iran Army issued Announcement No. 7 stating that 29 US and Israeli military drones had been shot down.

The announcement said that Iranian armed forces used drones and missiles to strike US and Israeli positions and troops, targeting locations including the US Udeid Air Base in Qatar and multiple Israeli military sites.

It also stated that since the counterattack, Iran has shot down 29 US and Israeli drones, including MQ-9 “Reaper” drones and models like “Cranes,” “Zeus,” and “Orbiter.”

The announcement added that Iran’s offensive and defensive actions against the US and Israel are ongoing.

US issues 6 evacuation orders within 3 hours in the Middle East

In just three hours early on March 3rd Eastern Time, the US State Department issued six evacuation orders, requiring non-essential government personnel to evacuate from Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense posted on social media that, based on preliminary assessments, the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia was attacked by two drones, causing a minor fire and slight damage to the embassy building.