Global stock markets experienced a sharp decline on Monday following a provocative ultimatum from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Iran. Trump's rhetoric included a threat to 'obliterate' Iranian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz was not opened, a critical chokepoint for global oil and liquefied gas transportation. This immediate fallout saw significant drops in major stock indices across Asia and Europe, with Japan's Nikkei dropping by 3.4%, the CSI 300 in China falling by 2.8%, and South Korea’s Kospi tumbling by 6.5% at the start of the week, reflecting heightened market anxiety over geopolitical tensions.