Copper, aluminum and iron ore prices fall on Middle East tension and weak steel demand

Copper, aluminum and iron ore all weakened as traders weighed renewed uncertainty in the Middle East, a pullback in technology shares and softer supply-demand fundamentals in the steel market. According to Bloomberg, base metals extended their decline as President Donald Trump’s effort to secure a peace deal with Iran remained fraught, while a drop in tech stocks also hurt broader market sentiment.

The move lower in copper and aluminum reflects a cautious tone across commodity markets, where investors are closely watching geopolitical risks that could disrupt trade flows or influence energy prices. When risk appetite fades in financial markets, industrial metals often come under pressure because they are tied to expectations for manufacturing, construction and global growth.