Oil prices have climbed after reports that Iranian drones struck a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Qatar, rattling global energy markets and reigniting debate over energy security.

But while the market reaction was swift, one energy analyst says the United States is structurally better prepared to weather the shock than many of its allies.

“Energy security is national security,” Independent Women’s Center for Energy and Conservation Director Gabriella Hoffman said in an interview with Fox News Digital. “If your energy policy is tied to boosting domestic production and insulating yourself from geopolitical threats, you’re going to be in a stronger position during moments like this.”

In the early morning hours on Saturday, U.S. military forces launched a massive joint military operation against Iran, known as “Operation Epic Fury.” The attacks have already left major leaders dead, including Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and spurred other strikes across the Middle East region.

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Iranian retaliation involving drone strikes hit energy infrastructure in Qatar on Monday, prompting QatarEnergy to halt LNG production at key facilities. Qatar’s LNG exports account for nearly 20% of global supply.

Early Monday morning, Iranian drones reportedly struck Qatar’s largest oil plant. (Getty Images)

As a result, global benchmark Brent Crude and U.S. crude futures rose sharply, with Brent up more than 8% toward around $79 a barrel and U.S. crude up about 7.6% on Monday amid supply fears.

European energy and natural gas prices also surged in response, underscoring the continent’s continued dependence on imported LNG following its pivot away from Russian gas. Hoffman also noted that major energy importers such as China are significantly reliant on Qatari LNG supplies.

“Countries that are dependent on Middle Eastern reserves are going to have to look closer to home,” Hoffman said. “If you’re relying heavily on foreign suppliers and something like this happens, you’re more exposed to volatility and instability.”

Hoffman argued the United States is less vulnerable than Europe because of its recent surge in domestic production and LNG export capacity. The U.S. recently became the world’s largest net exporter of petroleum products and continues expanding production capacity under Trump administration directives.

That position, she said, provides insulation from external supply shocks.

“We are scaling up production. We’re approving more infrastructure. We’re cutting red tape,” Hoffman said. “If we’re not approving new projects fast enough, that could eventually hold us back.”

Still, she maintained that the U.S. is “in a much stronger position than we would have been” under Biden-Harris policies that constrained domestic production. Hoffman further argued that the Iranian conflict will not fundamentally disrupt American energy goals.

She pointed to prior geopolitical tensions — including developments involving Venezuela — that did not trigger sustained price spikes.

“It’s early,” she cautioned. “We’re still waiting to see how this unfolds. But recent history shows that markets can adjust more quickly than some forecasts suggest.”

“Energy is now a geopolitical tool,” she continued. “If allies see instability from relying on rogue nations or unstable regions, that could increase demand for American LNG.”

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For now, markets remain in a “wait-and-see mode,” according to Hoffman. Much will depend on whether further infrastructure is targeted and whether the conflict escalates.

“We’re sitting on significant proven reserves,” she said. “With the right policies, America can weather this kind of shock… The lesson here… is that energy policy decisions made years ago determine how resilient you are today.”

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The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite plunged on March 2, 2026, as escalating conflict in the Middle East following U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran triggered a broad retreat from risk assets, sending oil prices surging and amplifying fears of persistent inflation.

The Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) fell sharply in early trading, dropping around 0.7% to 0.8% intraday, with levels hovering near 22,500 after closing at 22,668.21 on February 27 — down 210 points or 0.92% for that session. The index has now shed ground in recent sessions, reflecting pressure on growth-oriented tech stocks sensitive to higher interest rate expectations and energy cost spikes.

Broader markets joined the decline amid the geopolitical shockwaves. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) slumped over 1%, shedding more than 500 points in prior close and continuing losses into Monday, while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) dropped roughly 0.8% to 1% near the 6,800 level. Trading volume remained elevated as investors shifted toward safe havens like gold — which climbed past $5,400 per ounce — and the U.S. dollar strengthened.

The catalyst was a series of military actions over the weekend. U.S. and Israeli forces conducted strikes on Iranian targets, prompting retaliatory attacks from Iran that heightened concerns about prolonged regional instability. Brent crude oil jumped above $82 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate surged toward $73, marking sharp intraday gains of around 13% at one point. Higher energy costs raised the specter of renewed inflationary pressures, potentially delaying anticipated Federal Reserve rate cuts and pressuring equities further.

Tech giants, which dominate the Nasdaq’s weighting, bore much of the brunt. Shares of Nvidia (NVDA), Tesla (TSLA), Amazon (AMZN) and Apple (AAPL) traded lower, with some names down more than 1% to 3% in early action. The sector’s vulnerability stems from its reliance on low borrowing costs for growth; rising yields and inflation fears erode valuations for high-multiple stocks.

“This is a classic risk-off move,” said one market strategist in a client note. “Geopolitical escalation combined with oil’s spike is forcing a reassessment of Fed policy timing. If crude stays elevated, it could complicate the soft-landing narrative that has supported stocks this year.”

The Nasdaq has struggled in early 2026 after a strong prior period. February marked its worst monthly performance since March of the previous year, with the index down roughly 2.5% year-to-date in some reports, contrasting with the more resilient Dow Jones, up about 1.9% amid rotation into less tech-dependent names. The S&P 500 has shown modest gains of around 0.5% for the year so far.

Despite the pullback, some analysts remain cautiously optimistic on longer-term prospects. Individual investor sentiment stays bullish, with nearly 70% expecting stock market gains in 2026 according to recent surveys, even as half cite recession risks. The market’s resilience has been tested multiple times this year, including repeated challenges around the S&P 500’s 6,800 level.

Energy and defense stocks provided a counterpoint, rallying on bets of sustained higher oil prices and increased military spending. Sectors like traditional energy producers saw sharp gains, while airlines and consumer discretionary names faced headwinds from rising fuel costs.

Looking ahead, investors are monitoring upcoming economic data, including any inflation readings that could reinforce or ease Fed policy concerns. The VIX, Wall Street’s fear gauge, spiked notably in recent sessions, signaling heightened volatility.

The Nasdaq’s performance reflects broader themes in 2026: a tug-of-war between AI-driven growth optimism and macroeconomic uncertainties. While the index remains well above multi-year lows, its recent retreat underscores sensitivity to external shocks.

Market participants will watch for signs of de-escalation in the Middle East, which could stabilize energy markets and support a rebound in risk assets. Until then, caution prevails as traders navigate the intersection of geopolitics, commodities and monetary policy.

Unrest in the Middle East is crippling global air travel and disrupting flight schedules for many carriers, leaving passengers stranded at airports abroad.

Airlines across the world canceled flights after Israel and the U.S. launched a joint attack on Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury.

Emirates temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai due to the unrest in the region. It said it will resume operations of a “limited number” later on Monday and will prioritize customers with earlier bookings.

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Etihad said in a statement that all scheduled commercial flights to and from Abu Dhabi remain suspended until 2 p.m. UAE time on March 4. The carrier said that some “repositioning, cargo and repatriation flights may operate with UAE authorities and subject to strict operational and safety approvals.”

Emirates and Etihad Airways temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai. (Johannes Christo/Reuters)

Both carriers urged passengers not to travel to the airport unless notified by the airline.

Mainline U.S. carriers with operations in the Middle East have canceled flights and issued travel waivers to customers.

American Airlines

The U.S. and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran as part of “Operation Epic Fury.” (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

American Airlines said passengers traveling to, through or from Abu Dhabi, UAE; Amman, Jordan; Bahrain, Bahrain; Doha, Qatar; Dubai, UAE; and Larnaca, Cyprus, are eligible to have change fees waived if they:

• Are traveling on an American Airlines flight
• Are booked in any fare class, including Basic Economy
• Bought a ticket by Feb. 27, 2026
• Are scheduled to travel Feb. 28, 2026 –March 15, 2026
• Can travel Feb. 28, 2026 – March 29, 2026
• Don’t change the origin or destination city
• Rebook in the same cabin or pay the difference
• Cancel the trip and request a refund

Delta Air Lines

Delta canceled flights to and from Tel Aviv due to unrest in the Middle East. (Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)

Delta Air Lines canceled flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Tel Aviv, Israel, through March 8, and from Tel Aviv to JFK through March 9. The carrier said customers affected by flight cancellations will receive notifications. Customers scheduled to travel from Feb. 28 to March 31 are able to reschedule travel or cancel their reservation.

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Customers who opt to cancel their reservation can receive a refund for the unflown portion of their ticket through Delta’s website, or the unused value of the ticket will be issued as an e-credit that can go toward a new ticket.

The fare difference will be waived for passengers who rebook travel on or before April 15, 2026, in the same cabin as originally booked. A fare difference may apply if the original booking class is not maintained in the rebooked itinerary. If travel occurs after April 15, 2026, the airline said the change fee will be waived but a difference in fare may apply.

United Airlines

United canceled service to Dubai and Tel Aviv through March 4 and March 6, respectively. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

United Airlines canceled service from the U.S. to Dubai through March 4 and from the U.S. to Tel Aviv through March 6. The carrier issued two waiver notices related to unrest in the Middle East.

Customers who purchased tickets for flights to or from Dubai or Tel Aviv on or before Feb. 27, 2026 with original travel dates through March 7, 2026, are able to reschedule the trip and will not be charged wave fees or fare differences.

However, the new flight must be a United flight that departs between Feb. 28 and March 15. The airlines said tickets must be in the same cabin and between the same cities as originally booked.

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Change fees will be waived for customers who booked a new trip after Feb. 27, 2027, or to a different destination, though they may need to pay a fare difference. Travelers can receive a full refund if they cancel or don’t take the trip.  

The second notice covers Dubai and Tel Aviv as well as airports in Abu Dhabi, Beiruit, Lebanon, and Erbil, Iraq.

Customers who purchased tickets on or before Feb. 28, 2026 with original travel dates between March 8 and March 31, 2026, can reschedule without change fees or fare differences.

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The new flight must be a United flight that departs between March 1 and March 31, 2026. The airlines said tickets must be in the same cabin and between the same cities as originally booked.

Change fees will be waived for customers who booked a new trip after March 1, 2027, or to a different destination, though they may need to pay a fare difference.

McDonald’s is celebrating National Egg McMuffin Day with a limited-time deal for customers.

The fast-food giant is offering customers its classic breakfast sandwich or Sausage McMuffin with Egg for $1 on Monday during breakfast hours. In order to receive the deal, the McMuffin must be ordered through the McDonald’s mobile app.

The McMuffin traces its roots to Santa Barbara, California, in early 1971. McDonald’s owner/operator Herb Peterson developed the idea for the sandwich when a version of Eggs Benedict – particularly the Hollandaise sauce – didn’t make the cut. A slice of cheese replaced the sauce, and along with Canadian bacon, an egg and English muffin, the sandwich was created, according to McDonald’s.

McDonald’s Egg McMuffin sandwich was created in 1971. (McDonald’s Corp.)

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It entered test markets the following year and was served open-faced with honey or jam on a small tray. It cost 63 cents, equivalent to about $4.99 today.

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McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said during the company’s third-quarter earnings call in November that breakfast is typically the most “economically sensitive daypart” for the business.

“It’s an easy daypart to either skip the meal or to eat the meal at home,” he said. “Breakfast continues to be under pressure as a daypart industry-wide. We’re holding share in breakfast. So we’re doing okay in that segment, but we are still seeing that daypart is under pressure.”

McDonald’s has focused heavily on limited-time promotions and value meals to bring back customers. (Paul Weaver/SOPA Images/LightRocket)

McDonald’s has focused intently on limited-time promotions and value meals as a way to bring budget-conscious Americans back to its restaurants.

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The strategy appears to be working as U.S. sales rose 6.8% in the fourth quarter – the biggest jump in about two years – and lower-priced offers and aggressive promotions drove traffic back into restaurants. Analysts had expected a smaller 4.9% gain.