European stock markets slid sharply on Monday as heightened geopolitical tensions following Iran's weekend strikes and the continued closure of major Gulf exchanges rattled global investors, sending risk assets lower and energy prices higher.
According to reporting from Reuters, trading across Europe opened in negative territory, with indices across the continent reflecting broad declines as investors shifted out of equities and into traditional safe havens such as gold and energy commodities. Early Monday activity reflected unease about global growth prospects and the implications of supply-line disruptions in one of the world's most vital energy transport corridors, the Strait of Hormuz.
