Israel launched attacks on Iran’s capital Tehran to remove what it called “an existential threat”. The attacks came as talks between the US and Iran over nuclear de-escalation failed to reach an understanding. The US has backed the Israel’s attacks. Iran has retaliated to the attacks.

“Uncertainty prevails, fear is pushing prices higher today,” Tamas ⁠Varga, an analyst at PVM was quoted as saying by Reuters. “It is completely driven by the outcome of the Iranian nuclear talks and possible military action the U.S. might take against Iran.”

Quoting Barclays Bank, IANS reported that Brent crude could rise to around $80 per barrel in the event of any significant supply disruption as the market is experiencing a risk premium due to geopolitical tensions, although any escalation may not necessarily lead to an immediate supply disruption.

The benchmarks Brent and the US WTI surged over 3% in the previous session and could extend their gains on Monday when trading resumes.

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The US WTI crude oil futures ended at $67.29 per barrel, gaining $2.08 or 3.19% in a single session while Brent witnessed an even sharper surge of 3.4% or $2.37 per barrel to close at $72.87.
The Brent and WTI benchmarks are currently trading at their highest levels since July and August.President Donald Trump called the strikes a “major combat operations in Iran” in a video released on social media. The strikes were launched near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The war-like situation is likely to impact operations through the Strait of Hormuz, a 21-mile-wide waterway which remains a critical passage for global supply. Approximately 13 million barrels per day pass through the Strait — roughly 31% of all seaborne crude oil on earth.

Commodity and currency expert Anuj Gupta expects a sharp spike on Monday, hinting at Brent testing the $75 per barrel mark while WTI scaling $70 levels.

Crude oil prices have been on fire rising by nearly 5% or $3.39 in February while extending the 2026 gains to a $12.21 per barrel, implying a 20.10% year-to-date increase.

The war premium is expected to grow if the crisis is not contained in time.

Also read: Iran-Israel conflict: Expect a gap-up opening in gold and silver. Here’s how to trade bullion on Monday

Strategy for oil traders

Gupta suggests buying MCX Crude oil futures at Rs 5,950-6,000 with a stop loss of Rs 5,750 and a target of Rs 6,350-6,500.

Impact on equity markets

High crude oil prices are expected to be sentimentally negative for domestic equity markets when trading resumes on Monday.

Kranthi Bathini, Director-Equity Strategy at WealthMills Securities said a level above $80 per barrel could be a strong negative. He expects a choppy trade on Monday, expecting sharp cuts that may stay over a near term.

India’s benchmark indices Nifty and the BSE Sensex, ended with deep cuts on Friday amid selling pressure across the board. Auto, financials and FMCG were major laggards while the IT sector saw selective buying action. In a volatile session, the broader Nifty edged lower by 317.90 points, or 1.25%, to close at 25,178.65, while the 30-share Sensex plunged by 961.42 points, or 1.17%, to settle at 81,287.19.

Sectors in focus

Oil marketing companies like Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) and Oil India Limited could be in focus and may see selling pressure, if oil prices jump sharply.

High prices impact refining margins of OMCs, hitting their bottom lines.

Moreover, tyre and paint stocks could also come under pressure. Crude oil is a key raw material source for both paint and tyre companies because many of their inputs are petroleum-based derivatives.

Also read: Iran-Israel tensions likely to trigger choppy trade on Monday. What should investors do?

(Disclaimer: The recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)

NASA is preparing to launch a mission to the moon — and it’s making history for more reasons than one.

The space agency’s Artemis II launch marks the U.S.’s first journey back to the moon in more than 50 years. It will also carry the first Black astronaut and the first female astronaut to travel to the moon, though the mission will be a flyby without a touchdown on the surface.

The launch, originally scheduled for early February and now delayed, will carry four astronauts around the moon and back, including Victor Glover and Christina Koch, the first Black and first female astronauts, respectively, to make the flight.

The mission follows the success of the Artemis I launch in 2022, which was uncrewed, and marks NASA’s next step toward eventually sending astronauts to Mars.

“The benefits of the Artemis program are technological, but they’re also cultural,” Glover, who is a decorated U.S. Navy captain and has traveled to the International Space Station, said in a 2024 NASA video. “What really means something to me is the inspiration that will come from it, inspiring future generations to reach for the moon, literally to reach for the moon.” 

Koch began her career at NASA, starting as an engineer and going on to conduct scientific research before becoming an astronaut in 2013, also traveling to the International Space Station.

“The one thing I’m most excited about is that we are going to carry your excitement, your aspiration, your dreams with us on this mission,” Koch said at the 2023 press conference when the mission’s astronauts were announced.

Danielle Wood, a professor in the astronautics department at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said this mission builds upon decades of NASA’s work, including lessons learned from its previously failed endeavors.

“NASA’s been thinking through this whole process, two decades’ worth, of what we’re going to do is prepare the government to focus on these harder, next-generation missions and be able to do things that are not already demonstrated,” Wood told CNBC.

Wood said she’s also thankful that NASA has created a commitment to sending more diverse astronauts to space who “represent society in a more broad way.” Though the space agency initially emphasized military training for astronauts, she said opening up those requirements has led to exciting developments.

“It is still the case that there are many firsts, many glass ceilings, that need to be broken by Black women and Black men and women in general — that’s still real,” Wood added.

The mission will encompass more than just an exploratory journey to the moon too, she said. NASA will be conducting scientific research on the astronauts’ health, the rocket and the science of the moon. The mission is also working in conjunction with other countries, like Saudi Arabia and Germany, as part of “goodwill” agreements to pool together resources for moon research, Wood said.

“That’s just one step for this bigger, new form of operation,” she said.

Space historian Amy Shira Teitel, who’s been studying space for more than two decades, said Artemis II is the beginning of NASA’s next chapter of research.

“It’s marking a new era of leaving low Earth orbit, which we haven’t done since 1972,” she told CNBC. “It’s still a significant step because at the end of the day, we’re still going to gain some information that can be applied to whatever the next step is.”

Still, Teitel has her doubts about whether this launch will be the first step toward a lasting presence on the moon. Between budget restraints, multiple launch delays and complicating political factors, Teitel said the rocket launching this mission is “widely regarded as a huge boondoggle.”

That comes even as the space sector — and the journey back to the moon — has become more crowded.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX announced earlier this month that it was shifting its efforts from Mars explorations to moon explorations. Texas-based rocket and spacecraft builder Firefly Aerospace and Houston-based space startup Intuitive Machines have both sent spacecraft to the moon.

And NASA plans to retire the International Space Station in favor of smaller space stations focusing on the moon and Mars, with costs adding up. The U.S. Senate has also advanced legislation to support NASA’s advancements and create thousands of aerospace jobs, especially in Alabama, where the Marshall Space Flight Center is located.

Though the Artemis II launch will mark a significant step in NASA’s history, Teitel said she is choosing to remain cautiously optimistic about the future of space exploration, despite the hurdles.

“There’s so many challenges with this program right now stemming from policy, not from the astronauts or the engineers, just stemming from the fact that space is so complicated and so rooted in politics and so expensive that it’s hard to be that thrilled about this as the next step when everything else feels so tenuous,” Teitel said.

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Germany is holding an emergency meeting on Saturday to discuss the situation in Iran. The European Union is evacuating some staff from the region.

The US and Israel launched a major attack on targets across Iran, and US President Donald Trump called on the Iranian people to “take over your government” – an extraordinary appeal that suggested they could be seeking to end the country’s theocracy after decades of tensions.

It was unclear whether US allies were given any advance warning of the attacks. The German government said it was only given notice of the attacks on Saturday morning. France’s junior defence minister said France knew something would happen, but didn’t know when.

Responding to the attack, the European Union’s top diplomat called the conflict in the Middle East “perilous” and said she was working with Israeli and Arab officials to pursue a negotiated peace.

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“Iran’s regime has killed thousands. Its ballistic missile and nuclear programmemes, along with support for terror groups, pose a serious threat to global security,” said Kaja Kallas, foreign policy chief of the 27-nation bloc, in a post on social media.
“The EU is also coordinating closely with Arab partners to explore diplomatic paths.” She said the EU was evacuating some staff in the region while keeping in place a maritime mission in the Red Sea. The EU recently put fresh sanctions on Iran and its leading figures, which prompted retaliatory sanctions by Tehran.

The German government said it was monitoring the situation in Iran, Israel and the wider Middle East region after being informed about the Israeli strikes on Saturday morning. The German government’s crisis management team is scheduled to meet at noon to discuss the situation in Iran.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz was already consulting with ministers in charge of security and with European partners.

The German government urged German citizens in Iran, Israel, and the wider region to sign up for the official registration system for citizens abroad and follow the instructions of the local authorities regarding the necessary measures for their own protection.

France, whose military has bases and a regular presence in the Mideast, is calling on French citizens in the region to exercise extreme caution.

“A military escalation is underway. … It’s not the time for negotiations, we are in a situation of war,” junior Defence Minister Alice Rufo told France-2 television Saturday, comparing the situation to what happened last June.

“Our priority is the protection of our citizens and the protection of our forces in the region,” she said.

Asked if French forces were involved in the US and Israeli strikes or targeted in retaliatory strikes, French military spokesperson Col. Guillaume Vernet said Saturday: “The French armed forces continuously adapt their posture to threats and implement measures to ensure the surveillance and protection of military installations where French soldiers are deployed.”

He would not elaborate.

“Our military presence guarantees France’s independent assessment of the situation,” he told the AP.

Italy’s government urged Italians to exercise the utmost caution and follow instructions provided by its embassies in the region. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office said the prime minister would be in contact with the region’s allies and leaders within the next few hours to “support any initiative that may lead to a de-escalation of tensions.”

“Italy reiterates its support to the Iranian civilian population, who courageously continue to demand respect for their civil and political rights,” Meloni’s office said.

Switzerland called for full respect of international law and urged “all parties to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.”

Samsung Electronics officially launched the Galaxy S26 series on February 25, 2026, at its Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco, introducing the Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra as its most intuitive AI-focused smartphones yet. Pre-orders began immediately, with general availability scheduled for March 11, 2026, across major markets including the United States, Europe and Asia.

The lineup emphasizes refined design, powerful performance and expanded Galaxy AI capabilities, building on the foundation of the Galaxy S25 series. All models run Android 16 with One UI 8.5, promising seven years of major OS upgrades and security patches.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra stands as the premium flagship, featuring a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1-120Hz), Vision Booster for enhanced outdoor visibility and peak brightness up to 2,600 nits. It measures 78.1 x 163.6 x 7.9mm and weighs 214g — 0.3mm thinner and slightly lighter than its predecessor for improved ergonomics. The device includes rounded Armor Aluminum corners, IP68 water and dust resistance, and an integrated S Pen stylus.

Power comes from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 customized for Galaxy, delivering claimed improvements of 19% in CPU, 24% in GPU and 39% in NPU performance for AI tasks. Configurations offer 12GB or 16GB RAM with 256GB, 512GB or 1TB storage options (no microSD expansion). The 5,000mAh battery supports up to 31 hours of video playback, with a major upgrade to 60W wired charging (up from 45W) and 25W wireless charging, plus reverse wireless charging.

The camera system leads with a 200MP wide main sensor (f/1.4 aperture for better low-light performance), 50MP ultrawide (f/1.9), 10MP 3x telephoto (f/2.4) and 50MP 5x periscope telephoto (f/2.9). It enables up to 10x optical-quality zoom via adaptive pixel technology, improved Nightography and Super Steady video stabilization. The 12MP front camera supports enhanced selfies.

A headline feature is the world-first built-in Privacy Display, which limits visibility from side angles to prevent shoulder surfing in public settings while remaining clear from the front.

The Galaxy S26+ features a 6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 12GB RAM and 256GB or 512GB storage. It weighs 190g at 7.3mm thick with a 4,900mAh battery offering 31 hours of video playback and faster charging. The rear setup includes a 50MP wide main, with similar AI enhancements.

The base Galaxy S26 sports a 6.3-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, the same processor, 12GB RAM and 256GB or 512GB storage. It measures 7.2mm thick and weighs 167g with a 4,300mAh battery supporting 31 hours of playback.

Pricing reflects adjustments amid component costs: the Galaxy S26 starts at $899.99 for 256GB (up $100 from the S25), the S26+ at $1,099.99 for 256GB (also up $100), and the S26 Ultra holds steady at $1,299.99 for 256GB. Higher tiers reach $1,799.99 for the Ultra’s 1TB model. Pre-order promotions include up to $900 trade-in credit or $150 accessory discounts on Samsung.com.

Galaxy AI enhancements across the series include advanced contextual awareness, proactive suggestions, improved photo editing, real-time translation and Bixby upgrades for more natural interactions. The custom chipset optimizes on-device processing for efficiency and privacy.

Availability spans carriers, retailers like Best Buy and Amazon, and Samsung Experience Stores. Colors vary by model and region, including Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, Black, White, Silver Shadow and Pink Gold.

Early hands-on impressions highlight the Ultra’s slimmer profile, brighter display and faster charging as meaningful upgrades, though some note incremental changes from the S25. The privacy screen and AI refinements position the series strongly against competitors like Apple’s iPhone lineup.

As pre-orders roll in, the Galaxy S26 series arrives at a pivotal time for Samsung, emphasizing AI integration and user privacy in a crowded premium smartphone market.

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Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.