New Delhi, March 9 -- U.S. stocks were set to open at the lowest levels since November on Monday as global crude prices soared, risk sentiment evaporated, and investors recalibrated their growth and inflation forecasts for major economies around the world amid an escalating war with Iran.

With the U.S. vowing to continue its effort to destroy Iran's nuclear weapons program and bring about an "unconditional surrender," and officials in Tehran extending their retaliatory strikes against Persian Gulf states, the 10-day war shows no signs of abating.

Attacks on fuel depots and water desalination plants also has added a new dimension to the conflict, and one that is likely to see hostilities extended well into the spring and possibly summer ...