Updates for markets open

June 11 (Reuters) - Indian shares opened lower on Thursday, as a fresh escalation in the Middle East conflict and a sharp jump in U.S. inflation readings triggered risk-off sentiment across global equities.

The benchmark Nifty 50 .NSEI was down 0.48% at 23,104.4, while the BSE Sensex .BSESN shed 0.5% to 73,615.99, as of 9:15 a.m. IST.

All 16 major sectors logged losses at the open. The broader small-caps .NIFSMCP100 and mid-caps .NIFMDCP100 fell about 0.5% each.

The United States launched new strikes against multiple targets in Iran, the U.S. military said on Wednesday, as President Donald Trump vowed even more attacks if no peace deal is secured.

The escalation pushed Brent crude futures LCOc1 up 1.7% to $94.7 per barrel, while Asian stocks .MIAPJ0000PUS dropped 0.8%. MKTS/GLOB

Meanwhile, data released overnight showed that U.S. consumer inflation increased in May at its fastest pace in three years, driven by surging energy prices amid the Middle East conflict, raising the risk of a prolonged period of high interest rates.

Higher U.S. interest rates tend to make emerging market equities less attractive for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs).