Last mentioned: Mar 2, 2026
ASX Opening
ASX 200 projected to fall 0.2% as energy and gold stocks rally.
US Strike
American strike kills Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iranian Retaliation
Iran launches drone and missile attacks on Israel and Gulf states.
Market Reaction
Bitcoin drops 4% to $63,000; safe-haven currencies like Swiss franc and USD surge.
Record Close
ASX 200 hits record high before US strikes in Iran.
Global markets are shifting into a risk-off posture following a US strike that killed Iran's supreme leader, driving a surge in safe-haven assets and oil prices. Despite the geopolitical tension, the Australian market is processing a major domestic development as Magellan Financial moves toward a $1.6 billion merger with Barrenjoey Capital Partners.
The death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a targeted US strike has triggered a massive regional escalation and a global flight to safe-haven assets. While energy and gold stocks are set to rally, broader markets face significant uncertainty as Iran launches counterstrikes across the Gulf.