Dhaka, March 8 -- The escalating conflict in the Middle East, following strikes by the US and Israel on Iran and Tehran's retaliation, has sent shockwaves across the globe and has now wiped 231 points off Bangladesh's premier bourse.

Market analysts suggest the freefall is driven by fears that local companies will struggle to maintain operations amidst a looming global energy crisis and supply chain disruptions.

On Sunday, the first trading day of the week, the DSEX, the benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), tumbled 4.42 percent to settle at 5,008.99. This follows an 82-point slide recorded last Thursday.

The market witnessed a similar rout in February 2012, when the index lost 236 points on Feb 1 and 229 points on Feb 6....