Asia markets mixed on Iran uncertainty

March 26, 2026 (MLN): Asia markets traded mixed on Thursday as geopolitical uncertainty persisted after Iran ruled out direct negotiations with the United States, dampening investor confidence across the region.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, clarified that ongoing message exchanges through intermediaries should not be interpreted as formal negotiations with Washington.

His remarks came as Tehran continues to review a U.S. proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, as reported by CNBC.

Earlier reports from Iranian state media indicated that the country is unlikely to accept the U.S.-backed ceasefire offer in its current form and has instead presented its own conditions for halting hostilities, further complicating diplomatic efforts.

Against this backdrop, regional markets showed mixed performance. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 remained largely unchanged, reflecting cautious investor positioning. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 rose 0.28%, while the broader Topix gained 0.43%.

South Korea’s Kospi declined 1.55%, although the small-cap Kosdaq edged up 0.18%. In Greater China, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.52%, while mainland China’s CSI 300 opened flat.

In commodities, oil prices held steady during Asian trading hours. U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 0.72% to trade near $91 per barrel, supported by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Overnight on Wall Street, U.S. equities closed higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 305 points, or 0.66%, to settle at 46,429. The S&P 500 advanced 0.54% to 6,591, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.77% to close at 21,929.

Investors are expected to remain focused on geopolitical developments and any signals of escalation or de-escalation, which could continue to drive market direction in the near term.

Copyright Mettis Link News