International oil prices surge, US stocks decline, Trump threatens Iran "Civilization will be wiped out tonight."

On Tuesday morning Eastern Time, as the US military launched a new round of strikes against Iran's Hark Island, and with President Trump's deadline of reopening the Strait of Hormuz at 8 pm Eastern Time approaching with no clear solution in sight, international oil prices surged, and US stocks fell across the board. US crude oil prices skyrocketed over 4% to $116 per barrel. International Brent crude oil prices rose to nearly $111 per barrel. Meanwhile, US stocks opened lower, with all three major indexes falling over 0.6%. BlackRock analysts said on Monday, "Oil prices remain a key driving factor, with investors dealing with the growing supply shock and also holding out hope for easing tensions in the Middle East and disruptions in the supply chain." Meanwhile, Trump continued to escalate threats against Iran. Earlier on Tuesday, he posted on Truth Social, saying that if an agreement cannot be reached with Iran, and the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened before his deadline, "an entire civilization will be destroyed tonight, never to be restored."