TOKYO, June 13 (Reuters) - Stocks dived in early Asian
trade on Friday, led by a selloff in U.S. futures while safe
havens like gold and the Swiss franc climbed along with crude
oil prices on news that Israel had conducted a military strike
on Iran.
U.S. S&P e-mini futures slumped 1.1% as of 0018 GMT
and Nasdaq futures skidded 1.3%.
Japan's Nikkei lost 1% and South Korea's KOSPI
slipped 0.6%. Most other regional markets had yet to
open.
Brent crude jumped about 5% to $72.76 per barrel.
Gold added 0.8% to $3,410 per ounce.
The Swiss franc gained about 0.5% to 0.8060 per
U.S. dollar, and fellow safe haven the yen appreciated
0.4% to 142.89 per dollar.
Israel has begun carrying out strikes on Iran, two U.S.
officials told Reuters on Thursday, adding there was no U.S.
assistance or involvement in the operation.