New Delhi, June 13 -- The Indian stock market benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are likely to open lower on Friday, tracking weak global cues, after Israel launched airstrikes in Iran.

The trends on Gift Nifty also indicate a gap-down start for the Indian benchmark index. The Gift Nifty was trading around 24,732 level, a discount of nearly 205 points from the Nifty futures' previous close.

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalated after Israel targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz and the country's ballistic missile programme, as well as top nuclear scientists and officials.

On Thursday, the domestic equity market ended lower, with the benchmark Nifty 50 falling below 24,900 level.

The Sensex dropped 823.16...