Sensex Crashes 1100 Points, Nifty 50 Tanks Below 24,000 After Trump Rejects Iran's Latest Offer

Equity markets started with a major gap-down on May 11 after US President Donald Trump rejects Iran's response to a US peace proposal. Trump’s swift rejection sent crude oil prices higher, raising concerns that the 10-week-old conflict could continue, keeping shipping disrupted through the Strait of Hormuz.

As of 9:45 AM, the BSE Sensex tumbled as much as 1,091.50 points, or 1.41 per cent, to an intraday low of 76,236.70. Likewise, the NSE Nifty 50 slipped up to 312 points, or 1.30 per cent, to the day's low at 23,864.10.

All sectoral indices were trading in the red during early trade. Nifty Consumer Durables was the biggest loser, falling nearly 4 per cent. Nifty PSU Bank, Nifty Realty, and Nifty Media indices declined between 2 per cent and 2.5 per cent. Auto, oil & gas, private bank, and financial services indices also fell between 1 per cent and 2 per cent, while the FMCG and IT indices remained largely flat-to-negative.

The Nifty Bank index slipped below its key psychological level of 55,000, falling as much as 478.10 points, or 0.86 per cent, to 54,832.45.

Titan, IndiGo, and State Bank of India were the top laggards, falling between 4 per cent and 7 per cent, followed by Bharti Airtel, Eternal (formerly Zomato), Shriram Finance, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Jio Financial Services.

On the other hand, gains in Tata Consumer Products, Sun Pharma, Max Healthcare, Coal India, Nestle India, and HCL Technologies provided some support to Nifty 50.

Crude Oil Prices Spike

Crude oil prices spiked on concerns that tensions in the region could continue for longer. The Brent crude oil futures jumped over 4 per cent to trade above $105 per barrel, while the US oil benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures zoomed nearly 5 per cent to hit $100 a barrel.

The disruption in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict started on February 28 has affected the global supply of crude oil, natural gas, and fuels. This has pushed energy prices higher and increased concerns about rising inflation across the world. Nearly one fifth of the world's oil supply passes through this strait.

What Iran Asked For In Its Latest Offer

Iran on May 10 formally responded to the US proposal to restart peace talks and laid out conditions to end the ongoing conflict across multiple fronts, including Lebanon, where Israel is fighting Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. Iran also asked for compensation for war damages and reaffirmed its control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state television.

Iran also asked the US to end its naval blockade, stop any further attacks, lift sanctions, and remove restrictions on Iranian oil sales, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

What Trump Said On Iran’s Response

Trump immediately rejected Iran’s latest response, calling the proposal “totally unacceptable” in a post on Truth Social.

"I have just read the response from Iran's so-called 'Representatives.' I don’t like it — TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE," Trump wrote, without sharing further details.

The US proposal sent to Iran reportedly included a 14-point memorandum covering issues such as a pause on Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities, sanctions relief, and the restoration of free shipping movement through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump is now expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, and Iran is likely to be a key topic in the talks, according to a Reuters report. US officials said Trump may raise concerns over China’s support for Iran, including the revenue Beijing helps generate for Iran and possible Chinese weapons exports to the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why did Sensex and Nifty fall sharply on May 11?

Indian equity markets fell sharply after US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest response to a US peace proposal. The development increased fears of prolonged geopolitical tensions and pushed crude oil prices higher, hurting investor sentiment.

2. Why are rising crude oil prices a concern for markets?

Higher crude oil prices can increase fuel and transportation costs, push up inflation, and impact corporate earnings. Since India imports a large portion of its crude oil needs, a sharp rise in oil prices often weighs on the stock market and the broader economy.

3. Why is the Strait of Hormuz important for global markets?

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, with nearly one-fifth of global oil supply passing through it. Any disruption in the region can affect global energy supplies and lead to a spike in crude oil prices.