Gulf Tanker Attacks Drive European Stocks Lower

European equities are poised for a sharply lower open as markets price in a renewed escalation between the U.S. and Iran, triggered by attacks on Gulf tankers that threaten to unravel an emerging ceasefire. Futures signal broad selling pressure across major European indices as investors recalibrate risk exposure at the start of the trading week. The Gulf tanker attacks introduce a direct threat to oil transit routes through one of the world's most critical shipping chokepoints, raising the probability of supply disruption and sustained energy price volatility. Energy stocks may see divergent pressure: upstream producers could benefit from a crude price spike while refining-dependent operations face margin compression from feedstock cost increases. The immediate watch points are oil price moves at the open, any official U.S. or Iranian response, and whether ceasefire negotiations formally collapse or hold under the added strain.