FTSE 100 Live: Shares plummet as gilts hit highest since 2008 on rising Iran threats

Group 1: Market Reactions - The FTSE 100 index fell by 150 points to 9,768, marking its lowest level in three months, reflecting investor concerns over geopolitical tensions and economic impacts [4][5][8] - Precious metals miners, including Endeavour and Fresnillo, experienced declines of around 4% due to falling gold and silver prices, while copper miner Antofagasta dropped by 3.3% [5] - Financial stocks such as M&G, Standard Life, St James's Place, and Prudential saw declines of 2.5%-3%, indicating a broader market reaction to the ongoing geopolitical situation [6] Group 2: Geopolitical Developments - The situation in Iran remains tense, with President Trump warning that Iran must fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours or face severe consequences, including the obliteration of its power plants [2][3] - Iran has threatened to target U.S. and Israeli infrastructure in the region if its energy infrastructure is attacked, suggesting a potential escalation in conflict [3] - U.S. Treasury yields rose by 13 basis points to 4.38%, the highest since July, indicating market sensitivity to geopolitical developments and potential implications for U.S. economic policy [4]