Most Gulf stock markets started Sunday on the back foot as investors awaited news on potential US attacks against Iran. Saudi Arabia’s index fell 1% while Qatar’s index slid 1.3%. Amid these tensions, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said, "Doha is still mediating between Washington and Tehran."
Nov 8 (Reuters) - Most Gulf stock markets started Sunday on the back foot as investors awaited indications on whether US President Donald Trump will order fresh attacks on Iran.
Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI), opens new tab dropped 1%, weighed down by a 0.6% fall for Al Rajhi Bank (1120.SE), opens new tab and a 1.1% decline for Saudi Arabian Mining Company (1211.SE), opens new tab.
Blasts struck several sites across southern Iran on Saturday night, Qeshm Island among them, according to state broadcaster reports.
The IRGC Navy then reported two burning tankers after mine hits on a route it labeled off-limits, though it's unclear whether the sea and land incidents are connected.
Meanwhile, US Central Command says an American aircraft opened fire on and disabled a merchant ship that tried to defy the US blockade of Iran on Saturday.
Further west, the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis says it downed two ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh.
Qatar's index (.QSI), opens new tab slid 1.3%.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani told Al Jazeera on Saturday that Doha is still mediating between Washington and Tehran to keep the regional crisis from escalating.