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- Renewed tensions between Iran and the U.S. and worries that the conflict may keep inflation elevated keep investors on edge.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CNBC in an exclusive interview that, if needed, Israel and the U.S. were prepared to strike Iran again.
FUYANG, CHINA – MARCH 23, 2026 – Stock investors are following the stock market situation at a securities trading hall in Fuyang, Anhui, China on March 23, 2026. (Photo credit should read CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)Cfoto | Future Publishing | Getty Images
Asia-Pacific markets opened lower Thursday, tracking Wall Street losses, as tensions between Iran and the U.S. keep oil prices elevated, stoking energy and inflation worries.
The Kuwait International Airport was struck by Iran early Wednesday, just a day after the U.S. Central Command said it had defeated multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, as well as launched “self-defense strikes” on Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf. This was in response to “attempted attacks” by Tehran, it said.
If necessary, Israel and the U.S. are prepared to strike Iran again, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CNBC in an exclusive interview.
“Israel is ready and the U.S. forces are ready. I think Iran should take that into account. I think they are taking into account, but they’re playing with fire,” Netanyahu said.
West Texas Intermediate futures gained more than 2% to close at $96.02 on Wednesday, while international benchmark Brent crude advanced nearly 2% to settle at $97.81 per barrel.
South Korea’s Kospi fell 2%, but the small-cap Kosdaq advanced over 2% as trading resumed after a holiday.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.4% after hitting a record high in the previous session, while the Topix declined 0.91%.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was 0.84% lower.
Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were at 25,312, lower than the index’s last close of 25,633.21.
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Futures tied to the S&P 500 futures fell by 0.5%, while Nasdaq 100 futures shed 0.6%. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were trading marginally higher.
The 30-stock Dow Jones Industrial Average pulled back 620.72 points, or 1.21%, to end at 50,687.07 on Wednesday. The broad market S&P 500 fell 0.74% to close at 7,553.68, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.89% to 26,853.98.
— CNBC’s Spencer Kimball and Lisa Kailai Han contributed to this report.
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