European stocks split, shares tumble Iran talks stall
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- Stoxx 600 hovered around flatline as European markets split, with London and Milan up while Frankfurt and Paris fell.
- Rheinmetall fell 3.6% and other defense makers—Renk (-3.2%), Leonardo (-4.4%), Hensoldt (-3.4%), Babcock International (-3.5%)—slipped on news of stalled Iran‑U.S. peace talks.
- Trump labeled Iran’s counterproposal to end the Middle‑East war “unacceptable” in a Truth Social post.
- Iran demanded a total cease‑fire on all fronts and the removal of sanctions as conditions for peace talks, according to Tasnim news agency.
- Netanyahu warned that the war with Iran “is not over,” reaffirming U.S. and Israeli resolve to curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Why it matters: Defense makers like Rheinmetall and Leonardo see share drops of 3‑5%, hurting investors and potentially curbing funding for European defense projects, while the broader market’s split reflects heightened geopolitical risk.
