New Delhi, March 1 -- Indian stock market benchmark indices Nifty 50 and Sensex are expected to open in sharp sell-off mode on Monday after a dramatic escalation in West Asia rattled global sentiment. A coordinated military strike by the United States and Israel on Iran has significantly heightened geopolitical tensions and further weakened already fragile investor risk appetite.

According to media reports, the joint operation resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had led the country for over three decades.

Iran has responded forcefully, reportedly launching missile strikes targeting Israel and several Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates - countri...