U.S. stocks ended lower on Thursday.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 105.67 points, or 0.20 percent, to 52,552.97. The S and P 500 sank 38.63 points, or 0.51 percent, to 7,533.77. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 387.281 points, or 1.47 percent, to 25,881.946.
Eight of the 11 primary S and P 500 sectors ended in green, with consumer staples and health leading the gainers by adding 2.90 percent and 2.21 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, communication services and technology led the laggards by going down 2.85 percent and 1.77 percent, respectively.
U.S. stocks close lower
The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Thursday condemned a series of U.S. strikes targeting civilian facilities and infrastructure of the country.
Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported Thursday that U.S. strikes hit residential areas, communications towers, and bridges in many locations, including Bandar Abbas, Sirik Port, and Qeshm Island. The strikes on residential areas in Bandar Abbas reportedly caused casualties and power outages in some neighborhoods.
In a statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks against Iran in recent days, especially the strikes on non-military facilities.
These illegal attacks are undoubtedly a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and the fundamental principles of international law, the ministry said in a statement.
On the same day, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a press conference that talks between the United States and Iran were ongoing despite the renewed hostilities, and President Trump "is not going to allow them to fire on ships in the strait without paying a consequence for that", she asserted.
The United States launched another round of strikes against Iran on Thursday, the U.S. Central Command said in a statement.
Iran condemns recent US strikes on civilian facilities, infrastructure
