Global Stock Markets Hit Lowest Level in Two Years

Following another drop in crude oil prices, global stock markets experienced a severe decline on Wednesday, January 30, reaching their lowest level in two years. Economic observers cite ongoing concerns about the state of the global economy and the continued fall in crude oil prices as the main reasons for the stock market crash. The slowdown in China's economic growth and rising interest rates in the U.S. are worrisome factors for the global economic outlook. According to Agence France-Presse, crude oil prices in the New York market have dropped by seven percent to below $27 per barrel, a price level not seen in the last 12 years. The report states that due to these factors, the stock index in the London stock market lost 3.5 percent and the stock index on Wall Street dropped by 2.5 percent on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones index fell by 400 points, and the stock index of the oil company 'Royal Dutch Shell' saw a decrease of 7.3 percent in the London stock market on the same day. Major indices in key Asian markets also fell by more than 3 percent, and the situation in European and Russian stock markets is not reported to be any better. ISNA reported on Wednesday: 'The Tehran Stock Exchange, which had faced a sharp increase in demand for some shares the previous day and experienced a rise of over 900 units due to the emotional behavior of shareholders, showed a calmer and more rational behavior in the last trading day of the week.' On the other hand, it is reported that the currency market has also been affected by the price drop, with the value of the ruble against the dollar reaching a 'historic low.' However, it has been reported that in recent days, the transfer of funds from the stock market to 'safer' investments has boosted the gold market as well as U.S. bonds. In this context, the decline in oil prices continues; the fall in stock values in Asia; the reduction of global economic growth forecasts for the third time; changes in the 'proxy' battlegrounds; the war against the people in the streets of Iran; the first paragraph; the responsibility of the opposition and the possibility of radicalizing Iranian society; the death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amid the Iran crisis; Trump: I hope there is no need for further action regarding Iran; they killed people indiscriminately; the shadow of war over Tehran; 'Trump is looking for decisive military options against Iran'; Trump says if the Islamic Republic assassinates him, 'it will be wiped off the face of the earth'; Trump emphasizes 'stopping executions in Iran': we do not know what will happen in the future; senior U.S. official: the Trump administration is closely following the case of Reza Valizadeh.