The escalating conflict in the Middle East dragged stocks lower and sent oil prices surging on Friday, marking the latest geopolitical episode to rattle the markets this year. Stocks fell sharply after Israel launched a wide-ranging attack against Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leadership,

Oil prices retreated on Monday as fears of a wider Middle East conflict eased even as Israel and Iran pounded each other with missiles for a fourth day and threatened

US stocks fall on Israel-Iran worries, with Dow down xxx pts. Oil rises on supply worry. Gold hit a record high and US dollar rises on flee to safety.