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Follow the Money: who profits from the Iran war?

Defence stocks, energy profits, anonymous bets: who gains from the Iran war? Sam Fenwick follows the money from defence firms to exporters to alleged bets before the news broke.

When the US and Israel struck Iran in March 2026, Wall Street was opening as missiles were still flying. Within hours, a small number of investors and companies stood to make billions. The conflict has already cost an estimated $40 billion. Sam Fenwick follows the money; from defence contractors replacing weapons systems, to gas exporters benefiting from disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, and to anonymous traders who appear to have bet on the strikes before the news broke.

Presenter: Sam Fenwick
Producer: Matt Lines

You can email the team on businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

(Picture: Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner fires a missile in support of Operation Epic Fury, Mar. 1, 2026. Credit: U.S. Navy photo)

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17 minutes

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  • Tue 16 Jun 202607:32GMT
  • Tue 16 Jun 202614:32GMT

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