US strikes on Iranian military sites and Tehran's threats to restrict regional energy exports, including closing the Strait of Hormuz and potentially the Red Sea oil route, have intensified fears of a full-blown conflict. This escalation, which has already halved bunker fuel sales at Fujairah port, poses a serious new threat to global energy supplies. Most Gulf bourses, including Dubai (-0.3%) and Abu Dhabi (-0.5%), ended lower on Thursday amidst the rising tensions. This geopolitical instability could drive international crude oil prices higher and boost safe-haven demand for gold, potentially impacting Pakistan's import bill and local gold rates.
بحوالہ / Source: www.brecorder.com