Middle East Erupts: Israeli Airstrike on Iran Sparks Global Shockwaves – Crypto Takes a Hit

In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions,#IsraelIranConflict Israel launched a surprise airstrike on Iran early this morning under the codename “Rising Lion.” The pre-dawn operation, reportedly aimed at Iran’s nuclear sites, missile infrastructure, and key Revolutionary Guard positions, has set off alarm bells worldwide—destabilizing markets, fueling energy price hikes, and triggering a sharp sell-off in cryptocurrencies.$BTC

The offensive,#IsraelIranConflict which began around 3:00 a.m. local time, resulted in large explosions across Tehran, with reports indicating that residences of high-ranking Iranian commanders were among the targets. Iran swiftly responded by closing its airspace and activating defensive systems. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the strike as a “preemptive measure” against perceived nuclear threats.

Although the United States denied direct involvement, it began evacuating personnel from the region, signaling the seriousness of the situation. Global powers, including key NATO allies, are monitoring developments with increasing concern. In the immediate aftermath, Brent crude oil surged over 6%, crossing the $75 threshold—its highest in a year. Gold spiked toward the $3,425 mark as investors fled to traditional safe havens.

But in the crypto world, the reaction was starkly different.

Initially, Bitcoin saw a brief rally amid speculative trading, but that momentum quickly reversed. As geopolitical uncertainty deepened, a wave of risk aversion swept through the digital asset space. Bitcoin plummeted to $102.5K, $BTC while altcoins$XRP

like Ethereum and Solana experienced steep corrections of 10% to 15%. The total market capitalization of the crypto sector shed billions in hours.

Experts attribute the crypto downturn to two main factors:

1. Flight to Safety: In crisis scenarios, investors often liquidate risk assets in favor of cash, gold, and U.S. Treasuries.