Asian markets fall on Hormuz tensions

July 14, 2026 (MLN): Asian stock markets traded lower on Tuesday after renewed tensions in the Middle East weighed on investor sentiment, following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of new measures targeting Iran and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 1.17%, while the broader Topix index slipped 0.51%. In South Korea, the Kospi declined 2.01%, and the small-cap Kosdaq fell 1.8%, according to CNBC.

Earlier, futures had also pointed to a weaker start across the region. Japan's Nikkei 225 futures in Chicago stood at 67,055, below the index's previous close of 67,242.73.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 futures traded at 8,775 compared with the benchmark's last close of 8,808.5, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng futures were at 24,158, below the previous close of 24,213.72.

Market sentiment weakened after Trump said the United States would impose fees on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz and reintroduce a blockade of Iranian ports near the strategic waterway, further intensifying tensions with Tehran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the U.S. would reinstate the blockade of Iranian ports located near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy shipping route.

The latest move follows Washington's rejection of Iran's proposal to levy transit charges on vessels using the Strait of Hormuz.

Maritime experts, regulators and senior U.S. administration officials have previously argued that such tolls would violate international law.

Copyright Mettis Link News