Strikes on several Iranian targets led to a surge in oil prices and falling Australian stocks, as traders fear an escalation in the Middle East crisis. The benchmark ASX 200 slipped 20.10 points or 0.23 per cent to 8633.20 while the broader All Ordinaries also gave up 20.3 points or 0.23 per cent to 8836.70.The Australian dollar appreciated 0.14 per cent to buy 70.03 US cents. Despite the market as a whole trading lower, just four of the 11 sectors finished in the red, with technology stocks and the major four banks weighing against rises from energy, and healthcare stocks.Accounting software provider Xero dropped 3.58 per cent to $74.07, WiseTech Global fell a further 2.79 per cent to $36.99 and NextDC plunged 4.23 per cent to $14.50.Banking behemoth Commonwealth weighed on the market, down a further 2.38 per cent to $156.42, Westpac dropped 2.57 per cent to $34.50, National Australia Bank fell 1.79 per cent to $35.68 and ANZ traded in the red, down 1.79 per cent to $33.83. Brent crude oil prices continued to rise as the US military launched further strikes on several targets in Iran, while Iran says it hit two vessels attempting passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The price of oil was trading at $US94.08 ($A134) a barrel at Thursday’s close in Australia. IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said so far the oil markets have been relatively muted and for good reason.“First, President Trump’s habit of de-escalating at the eleventh hour is well-known,” he wrote in an investor note.“Second, any direct and hard-hitting attack carries grave risks of retaliatory Iranian strikes on vulnerable Gulf Coast energy infrastructure.“Finally, Trump overnight highlighted a quiet US military operation that has escorted more than 100 million barrels of (non-Iranian) oil safely out of the region, ensuring some supply continues to flow out of the crucial waterway.”Even so, energy producers rallied on higher oil prices as Woodside jumped 1.55 per cent to $31.52, Santos rallied 2.02 per cent to $8.07 and Ampol added 0.30 per cent to $36.77. Healthcare shares were also a bright spot on the day’s trading as CSL rallied 4.16 per cent to $107.23, Pro Medicus added 0.75 per cent to $162.79, and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare closed 0.22 per cent higher to $31.77. Super Retail shares added 0.73 per cent to $12.35 after its shareholder day revealed a new five-year strategic plan which includes adding 110 more store locations to 900, including underrepresented regional areas and expanding Super Cheap Auto’s range. Southern Cross Media shares slumped 4.24 per cent to $0.56 after the owner of the Seven network, West Australian and Southern Cross Austereo, is axing between 250 and 300 full-time staff members. The plan targets annual savings of $145 - $150m. Lendlease share leapt 4.58 per cent to $2.74 after announcing Nick O’Neil will take over as chief executive as well as reaffirmed guidance for its investments, development and construction segments of 28 to 34 cents per share.Read related topics:ASX