The three major U.S. stock indexes in New York opened lower across the board, reflecting fears that the military clash between the United States and Iran could drag on.
As of 9:57 a.m. on the 27th (local time) at the New York Stock Exchange, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 479.12 points, or 1.04%, to 45,480.99. The Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 dropped 62.28 points, or 0.96%, to 6,414.88, and the Nasdaq composite fell 281.13 points, or 1.31%, to 21,126.95.
The day before, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would postpone an attack on Iranian power plants until 8 p.m. on Apr. 6 Eastern Time. However, separate from any signs of talks, military tensions are instead rising.
At a Cabinet meeting that day, President Trump warned, "Iran must agree, or it will face sustained U.S. military attacks." At the same time, he also hinted at the possibility of large-scale military action to secure control over Iran's oil.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the U.S. Ministry of National Defense is reviewing a plan to deploy up to 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East in preparation for a clash with Iran. The additional review reportedly includes infantry and armored vehicle units.
Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz also continue. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that day, "The Strait of Hormuz is in a state of blockade, and any attempt to pass will face a strong response."
The IRGC also claimed that three container ships of different nationalities attempted to move through designated routes but turned back after a navy warning.