(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 23 mar - European share prices remained under heavy pressure at midday, as investors reacted to a dangerous escalation in the Middle East. Global markets were rattled after US president Donald Trump signaled potential strikes on Iran's power infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

In response, Tehran warned it could fully shut the key shipping route and target energy facilities in neighboring countries, heightening risks of a global energy supply shock.

These tensions have revived concerns that rising energy costs will fuel persistent inflation, keeping central bank policies restrictive.

At 1040 GMT, London's FTSE 100 was down 2.34% at 9,686.21 points while in Frankfurt the DAX fell 2.14% to 21,917.17 points and in Paris the CAC 40 was 1.87% lower at 7,521.92 points. Milan's FTSE MIB slumped 2.54% to 41,754.50 points while in Madrid the IBEX 35 was 2.52% lower at 16,292.99.

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(RADIOCOR) 23-03-26 11:44:36 (0226) 5 NNNN