European equity markets were set to start the week on a weaker note Monday, as investor sentiment soured following a sharp escalation in Middle East tensions. Over the weekend, the US launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, joining Israel in its ongoing conflict with Iran. The move surprised markets, especially after President Donald Trump said on Friday that a decision would come "within the next two weeks," raising earlier hopes for diplomacy. Investors are now closely monitoring the situation for potential retaliation from Tehran, including threats to US personnel or possible disruption of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz - an event that could roil global energy markets. In Europe, attention will also turn to preliminary manufacturing and services PMI data for June, which will offer fresh insights into the region’s economic outlook. In premarket trading, futures on the Euro Stoxx 50 and Stoxx 600 were both down around 0.5%.