Police in Paris remain on high alert days after a foiled attack on a Bank of America branch led to four people, including three minors, being placed under formal investigation. Authorities say the incident highlights potential risks to US and Israeli interests in France amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

American multinational investment bank Goldman Sachs placed its Paris offices under police surveillance on Thursday after US authorities warned of a threat from a pro-Iranian group planning attacks on US bank buildings in the city using explosive devices. The bank authorised its Paris employees to work remotely. “The safety of our employees is our absolute priority, and we are taking the necessary measures to ensure their security,” a spokeswoman told AFP.

While French security services believe France itself is unlikely to be directly targeted, officials warn that US and Israeli establishments could be at risk due to escalations in the region. Goldman Sachs declined to comment further when contacted by Euronews.

The heightened alert follows a foiled bomb attack on a Bank of America branch in Paris on 28 March. Four individuals—a young adult and three minors—have been formally charged. French authorities say the adult allegedly recruited the teenagers, who were reportedly tasked with planting an explosive device outside the building.

France’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office indicated that the attack may be linked to Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI), a little-known Islamist group with possible ties to Iran. No formal connection has yet been established. HAYI, which translates as the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right, has previously claimed responsibility for attacks on Jewish community targets in the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Security experts note that the timing of the alert is linked to the wider Middle East conflict. The US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on 28 February, sparking a regional escalation that has raised concerns about potential reprisals abroad.

French authorities have increased police presence around US-linked financial institutions and diplomatic missions. Sources say intelligence sharing between French and US security services has intensified to prevent any further attacks.

The Bank of America incident underscores a growing concern among multinational corporations operating in Europe. Companies with US and Israeli ties are reviewing security protocols, and some, including Goldman Sachs, have temporarily shifted employees to remote work while authorities monitor threats.

Analysts say that while the immediate risk to the general public remains low, the foiled attack demonstrates the capability of small extremist cells to exploit local recruits, particularly minors, in planning acts of terrorism. Authorities are urging vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement to prevent further incidents.

A vessel owned by France’s CMA CGM has become the first ship tied to Western Europe to cross the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the Iran war in late February, according to ship tracking data.

The Maltese-flagged container ship, CMA CGM Kribi, sailed eastbound from waters off Dubai on Thursday afternoon. The vessel, which belongs to the world’s third-largest container line, broadcast its French ownership while navigating the approved corridor between the Iranian islands of Qeshm and Larak.

The CMA CGM Kribi had remained idle in the Gulf since early March, like many other non-Iranian vessels, after commercial traffic sharply declined following the outbreak of hostilities. CMA CGM, majority-owned by the Saade family, coordinated the transit with Iranian maritime authorities. The ship is believed to be en route to Pointe Noire in the Republic of Congo, operating as part of a service linking India, the Middle East Gulf, and Africa.

Ship tracking experts said the successful passage may encourage other carriers to resume operations if the corridor remains reliable in the coming days. Previous test transits by Chinese-linked vessels demonstrated that controlled movements through the waterway were possible, but Western European ships had largely stayed away amid safety and insurance concerns.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, announced on Thursday that Tehran is drafting a protocol with Oman to secure traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state media. Reports suggest the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is considering charging tolls starting at $1 per barrel and accepting payment in Chinese yuan or stablecoins. Ships may also be required to submit detailed data to IRGC-linked intermediaries for approval, with access determined by a country ranking system.

In a related development, an LNG tanker has entered the Strait of Hormuz in what could be the first transit of its kind since the conflict began. The Sohar LNG vessel, not carrying cargo, changed course toward the Qalhat LNG export terminal in Oman and moved eastward through the waterway on Thursday, according to ship tracking data.

Energy carriers such as tankers and gas vessels have largely avoided the Strait since the war started due to heightened risks and the suspension of standard insurance coverage. While container ships have led recent test transits, the LNG tanker’s movement underscores the gradual return of different vessel types to the strategically critical maritime chokepoint.

Analysts said these developments signal a cautious resumption of commercial activity in the Strait, a key route for global trade and oil shipments, as regional authorities work to manage maritime security and restore confidence among international shipping companies.

Oil rose sharply and European stocks fell after US President Donald Trump said in his first national address since the Iran war began that the United States would continue military action against Iran and “finish the job.” The remarks unsettled financial markets, with investors reacting to the absence of a clear plan to end the conflict.

Instead of outlining a path toward de-escalation, Trump signalled that attacks would continue over the next two to three weeks. “We are going to hit them extremely hard,” he said, adding that the US was close to achieving its core objectives. He also warned of further strikes on energy facilities if no agreement is reached with Tehran.

The lack of clarity over a ceasefire or diplomatic solution weighed on global markets. Brent crude briefly rose above $108 per barrel before settling near $107.70 at the European market open, while US West Texas Intermediate climbed 6.2% to around $106.30 per barrel. The gains reflect ongoing concerns about disruptions to global oil supply, particularly as the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical but uncertain route for energy shipments.

Stock markets across Europe opened lower. London’s FTSE 100 fell 0.7%, Paris’s CAC 40 dropped 1.2%, and Frankfurt’s DAX declined 1.5%. Indices in Milan and Madrid also posted losses of more than 1%. Energy companies such as ENI and TotalEnergies recorded gains of over 2%, benefiting from higher oil prices, while technology and industrial stocks, including Deutsche Telekom, Schneider Electric, and ASML, declined sharply.

Asian markets also closed in negative territory. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 2.4%, while South Korea’s Kospi dropped 4.5%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 1.1%, and China’s Shanghai Composite slipped 0.7%. US stock futures were also lower, pointing to potential declines on Wall Street.

Currency markets reflected the shift in sentiment, with the euro falling 0.5% against the US dollar. Precious metals also moved lower, with gold dropping 3.5% to $4,644.40 per ounce and silver falling 6.8% to $70.90.

Market analysts said investors had expected clearer signals from Washington about the direction of the conflict. “There were no concrete details about the end of the hostilities,” said Takashi Hiroki, chief strategist at Monex in Tokyo, noting that markets are seeking a defined path toward a ceasefire.

The latest market reaction highlights the sensitivity of global financial systems to geopolitical developments. With no immediate resolution in sight, traders and policymakers are closely watching how the conflict evolves and its potential impact on energy supply, inflation, and economic growth.