Israel Strikes Iran’s Nuclear Program
Israel Strikes Iran’s Nuclear Program
A rain of missiles falls on Iran. Markets plunge. And Bitcoin is not spared.
On Friday, at dawn, Israel launched one of the largest military offensives in its modern history against Iran. The stated goal: to neutralize the nuclear and ballistic program of the Islamic Republic. Immediate result: Bitcoin falls below $104,000, dropping to $103,162, before rebounding slightly.
A Targeted… and Devastating Attack
According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), several tens of strikes targeted nuclear facilities, military bases, and strategic command centers. Among the targets, the highly symbolic Natanz nuclear site was hit at 4:15. Shortly before, at 3:30, violent explosions rocked the east of Tehran, hitting the headquarters of the Revolutionary Guards.
The human consequences are significant: Iranian state television confirms the death of several major figures, including the head of the Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, and Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri. Even Fereydoon Abbasi, former head of the Iranian atomic program, is said to have perished in the attack.
Oil Skyrockets, Markets Collapse
As with every geopolitical shock, gold, oil, and U.S. bonds have served as safe havens.
The Brent crude soared by +12.5%, briefly reaching $73 per barrel in London. Gold futures contracts rose by 1%, and 10-year bond yields slightly declined, indicating a flow towards ‘safe assets.’
On the stock side, European and American indices plummet: -1.4% for the Stoxx 50, -0.7% for the FTSE 100, and S&P 500 futures in the red by 1.4%. In the Forex market, the dollar strengthened against the euro and pound, but lost ground against the yen and Swiss franc.
Bitcoin Under Geopolitical Strain
The reaction of Bitcoin was swift. After slipping overnight, it plunged at the height of the assault, experiencing a nearly 7% drop within 24 hours.
Historically designed as a decoupled asset, BTC once again shows its sensitivity to a major global crisis. If the situation escalates into a lasting regional conflict, volatility could intensify even further.
A War that Could Last
According to Israeli military sources, the operation could continue for up to two weeks. The Israeli state claims to have destroyed a large part of the Iranian radar and anti-aircraft systems to ensure aerial supremacy.
Tehran, on the other hand, has promised a “severe punishment.” Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei announces that the armed forces of the Islamic Republic “will not let this crime go unpunished.” In a social media post worthy of a movie teaser, Iran promises a response.
Towards an Uncontrollable Escalation?
The United States claims not to be involved in the operation. However, Iran holds them responsible. Secretary of State Marco Rubio tries to calm the situation, but the risks of retaliation against American bases in the region are very real.
Meanwhile, negotiations on the Iran nuclear deal, scheduled for this Sunday, seem more jeopardized than ever. And the markets, they remain on edge for the next wave.
