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Brent Crude, the global oil benchmark, jumped above $110 a barrel after an Iranian missile strike on Razlafan, Qatar's main energy hub,

Qatar Energy, said the attack caused extensive damage, until the war the site made and shipped

nearly a fifth of the world's liquefied natural gas. Iran had early avowed to retaliate

against American and Israeli strikes on the Southpaz

gas field, which it shares with Qatar.

The Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.5% to 3.75%.

It noted that developments in the Middle East had uncertain implications for America's economy.

Jerome Powell, the central bank's governor, said that oil shocks would boost inflation in the short term.

Stock markets fell on the news.

The SMP 500 and the NASDAQ each closed around 1.4% lower.

Iran confirmed that an Israeli airstrike had killed its intelligence minister, Ismail Hattib.

His death follows Israel's assassination of Ali Larajani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council,

and Olamraza Soleimani, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps besieged militia on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Israel continued attacks on Lebanon. Local officials said strikes on Beirut killed at least 12 people.

Pakistan said it would pause its strikes on Afghanistan to mark the Eid al-Fata holiday

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