An Iranian flag flutters in the wind as ships remain anchored on May 16, 2026 in the Strait of Hormuz near Larak Island, Iran.<\/p>\n
Majid Saeedi | Getty Images News | Getty Images<\/p>\n
LONDON \u2014 European stocks are expected to open in mixed territory on Wednesday as regional investors assess the latest military operations against Iran.<\/p>\n
The U.K.’s FTSE 100<\/a> index is seen opening 0.2% lower, with Germany’s DAX<\/a> up 0.13%, France’s CAC 40<\/a>\u00a0up 0.34% and Italy’s FTSE MIB<\/a> 0.25% higher, according to data from IG.<\/p>\n The Iran war remains a focal point for European markets, with regional stocks edging lower on Tuesday after U.S. forces<\/a>\u00a0carried out what Central Command described as “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile launch sites and Iranian vessels allegedly attempting to deploy mines.<\/p>\n In response, Iran’s foreign ministry accused the U.S. of a “gross violation” of the fragile ceasefire between the two nations. <\/p>\n U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the Strait of Hormuz will have to be opened “one way or the other.”<\/p>\n The apparent flare-up in hostilities came despite\u00a0President Donald Trump<\/a>\u00a0indicating in a Truth Social post earlier this week that a peace agreement could be in sight, with negotiations “proceeding nicely.” <\/p>\n Asia-Pacific markets<\/a> rose on Wednesday, with Japan and South Korea’s benchmark indices hitting new highs record highs. U.S. stock futures were little changed early Wednesday after a tech-driven rally also lifted the\u00a0S&P 500<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Nasdaq Composite<\/a>\u00a0to new record highs.<\/p>\n There are no major earnings or data releases in Europe on Wednesday.<\/p>\n \u2014 CNBC’s Lee Ying Shan contributed to this market report. <\/p>\n