Asia markets fall after U.S. strikes in Iran

June 23, 2025 (MLN): Asia-Pacific markets declined Monday following the United States’ attack on three nuclear sites in Iran, which pushed oil prices higher and stoked fears of an escalation in the Middle East conflict.

Oil prices have spiked in recent weeks due to rising tensions in the region. Brent Crude was trading at $78.51 per barrel after gaining 1.95% as of 12:06 p.m.

Singapore time, while West Texas Intermediate crude added 2.06% to $75.36.

In Japan, the benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 0.32%, while the broader Topix index declined 0.43%.

South Korea’s Kospi index retreated 0.41%, and the small-cap Kosdaq lost 1.42%.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index slipped 0.13% in early trade, and mainland China’s CSI 300 index declined 0.2%.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped 0.43%. In India, the Nifty 50 fell 0.9%, while the BSE Sensex lost 0.74%.

U.S. equity futures also declined in early Asia trading after the strikes, as CNBC reported.

Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 109 points, or 0.3%. S&P 500 futures dropped 0.3%, and Nasdaq 100 futures lost 0.4%.

On Friday, two of the three major Wall Street benchmarks ended lower. The S&P 500 declined 0.22% to close at 5,967.84, marking its third straight losing session.

The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.51% to 19,447.41, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 35.16 points, or 0.08%, to finish at 42,206.82.

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