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The U.S. has carried out strikes on three of Iran’s key nuclear sites. President Donald Trump recently claimed the facilities were “completely and totally obliterated,” while Iran vowed to CNN that America will “pay” for its attacks “directly.”
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Iran retaliated by firing missiles at a U.S. military base in Qatar — and the threat of escalation is real. On the night of the initial U.S. strike, Trump warned on social media platform Truth that “any retaliation” by Iran against the U.S. would be met with “force far greater than what was witnessed tonight.”
While Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran on June 23, it’s now in question — just hours later. Both countries have since violated the agreement, according to Trump.
“We basically have two countires that have been fighting for so long and so hard, that they don’t know what the f— they’re doing,” he told the press as he left for the NATO summit.
For investors, the uncertainty is unsettling as the U.S. becomes further entangled in the Israel-Iran conflict. While geopolitical experts continue to weigh in, legendary investor Warren Buffett has offered a timeless perspective on what investors should — and shouldn’t — do during times of war.
“The one thing you can be quite sure of is if we went into some very major war, the value of money would go down — that’s happened in virtually every war that I’m aware of,” Buffett told CNBC in 2014, the last time Russia invaded Ukraine.
“The last thing you’d want to do is hold money during a war.”
In times of heightened uncertainty — when markets swing on every headline — it can be tempting to retreat into cash for safety. But Buffett’s warning highlights a crucial point: War often fuels inflation. It typically brings a surge in government spending, reduced production of consumer goods and supply chain disruptions — all of which can drive prices higher.
What should investors own then?
“You might want to own a farm, you might want to own an apartment house, you might want to own securities,” he said.
Let’s take a closer look at these assets.
To illustrate how stocks can perform during conflict, Buffett pointed to World War II.
“During World War II, the stock market advanced — the stock market is going to advance over time. American businesses are going to be worth more money, dollars are going to be worth less, so that money won’t buy you quite as much,” he told CNBC.
“But you’re going to be a lot better off owning productive assets over the next 50 years, than you will be owning pieces of paper.”
Buffett has long championed a straightforward way for everyday investors to put this principle into action — no stock-picking skills required.
“In my view, for most people, the best thing to do is own the S&P 500 index fund,” he once famously stated. This approach gives investors exposure to 500 of America’s largest companies across a wide range of industries, providing instant diversification without the need for constant monitoring or active management.
The beauty of this approach is its accessibility — anyone, regardless of wealth, can take advantage of it. Even small amounts can grow over time, and some apps even let you invest in an S&P 500 ETF with your spare changemaking it easier than ever to build wealth alongside the world’s financial elite.
Read more: This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here’s how to buy the coveted asset in bulk
In that 2014 interview, Buffett named “apartment houses” as one of the assets you might want to own during wartime. He has repeatedly pointed to real estate as a prime example of a productive, income-generating asset.
In 2022, Buffett stated that if you offered him “1% of all the apartment houses in the country” for $25 billion, he would “write you a check.”
Why? Because no matter what’s happening in the broader economy, people still need a place to live and apartments can consistently produce rental income.
Real estate also provides a natural hedge against inflation. When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to go up, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts with inflation.
The best part? You don’t need to be a billionaire to start investing in real estate today.
One option is Homeshareswhich gives access to the $30 trillion-plus U.S. home equity market — a space that has historically been the exclusive playground of institutional investors. With a minimum investment of $25,000, accredited investors can gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund — without the headaches of buying, owning or managing property.
Another option is First National Realty Partners (FNRP)which allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.
With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmartwhich provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.
Simply answer a few questions — including how much you would like to invest — to start browsing their full list of available properties.
Buffett’s comment that “you might want to own a farm” during wartime reflects a simple truth: Come what may, people still need to eat.
Even in times of peace, farmland has proven to be a valuable asset. According to the USDA, U.S. farmland values have steadily climbed over the past few decades, driven by increasing demand for food and limited supply of arable land.
These days, you don’t need to buy an entire farm or know how to grow crops to get in on the opportunity.
FarmTogether is an all-in-one investment platform that lets qualified investors buy stakes in U.S. farmland. The platform identifies high-potential agricultural properties and then partners with experienced local operators to manage the land effectively.
Depending on the type of stake you want, you can get a cut from both the leasing fees and crop salesproviding you with a cash income. Then, years down the line after the farm rises in value, you can benefit from the appreciated land and profit from its sale.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
