The London Metal Exchange (LME) suspended all contract trading at 2:44 PM local time on March 16, leaving traders unable to place orders across markets such as aluminum and zinc. The halt comes amid increased volatility due to the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has disrupted the supply of industrial metals. An LME spokesperson confirmed awareness of the issue and stated that steps are being taken to resolve it swiftly. The suspension has added uncertainty to the metals markets, already affected by supply chain disruptions and demand concerns.