Mumbai, March 6 -- The Dow tumbled 784.67 points (1.6%) to 47,954.74, the S&P 500 slid 38.79 points (0.6%) to 6,830.71 and the Nasdaq fell 58.50 points (0.3%) to 22,748.99.

Concerns over sharply higher energy prices pressured Wall Street as crude oil surged past $80 a barrel, resuming its early-week rally amid Middle East supply fears. Iran claimed it struck a U.S. oil tanker in the northern Persian Gulf, heightening worries of wider conflict after threats to block the Strait of Hormuz.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested the war could last up to eight weeks, while AJ Bell's Dan Coatsworth noted oil's rapid rise is leaving investors dazed amid uncertainty over a sustained crisis or short shock. Separately, U.S. initial jobless clai...