US Stocks Slide as Iran Conflict Ignites Inflation Fears

US stocks opened lower on Monday as renewed military clashes between the US and Iran pushed oil prices higher, adding to concerns about inflation.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 346 points, while the S&P 500 was almost unchanged and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.52%.

The weakness comes as investors enter September, historically a challenging month for equities.

Markets are also reassessing the prospect of further monetary tightening following Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's comments on inflation at the Jackson Hole symposium last week.