Dhaka, March 2 -- The equity market index tumbled on Sunday as investors were rattled by the global crisis that ensued after the US-Israel strike on Iran killed the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top security officers.

According to market analysts, stocks suffered a major setback amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Jittery investors dumped their holdings, fearing further erosion of their assets' value.

Economists and market insiders warn that if the conflict prolongs, it could result in longer shipping routes, higher freight costs, rising energy prices, and ultimately higher production costs across sectors.

The strikes on Iran put nearby oil-producing Gulf Arab countries on edge, as fear...