The U.S. stocks experienced the biggest single-day loss in about a month on Thursday amid mounting investor jitters over renewed tensions in the Middle East.
The selloff was triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's new threat to hit any boats trying to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz and reported explosions heard in Tehran earlier on Thursday evening.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 179.71 points, or 0.36 percent, to 49,310.32. The S and P 500 sank 29.50 points, or 0.41 percent, to 7,108.4. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 219.063 points, or 0.89 percent, to 24,438.504.
Six of the 11 primary S and P 500 sectors ended in red, with technology and consumer discretionary leading the laggards by losing 1.47 percent and 0.93 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, utilities and industrials led the gainers by adding 2.80 percent and 1.75 percent, respectively.
Uncertainty around the second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran is also rising.
Trump said on Tuesday that he will extend the ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan's request, but did not specify an end date.
While the move is welcomed, it has yet to generate momentum for dialogue. Iran has made it clear that it will not engage in a new round of talks unless Trump lifts his blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz.
US stocks experience biggest single-day loss in about one month on Thursday
