Arabic version: تراجع الأسواق الآسيوية بعد إنذار ترامب لإيران

Stock markets across the Asia Pacific experienced significant declines on Monday, driven by U.S. President Donald Trump’s ultimatum to Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Trump threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s energy infrastructure unless Tehran reopened the crucial waterway, which is vital for global oil and gas exports, according to Al Jazeera.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index fell by 4 percent, while South Korea’s KOSPI dropped 4.5 percent in early trading. The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong decreased by about 2 percent, and Australia’s ASX 200 and New Zealand’s NZX 50 also saw declines of approximately 1.6 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively.

Futures for Wall Street showed moderate losses, with S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite futures down around 0.5 percent. Oil prices remained volatile, with Brent crude futures initially rising over 1.5 percent to exceed $114 a barrel before settling around $112.

Trump’s ultimatum, which comes as the U.S. and Israel’s military actions against Iran continue, has raised concerns about a potential global energy crisis. Since the conflict began on February 28, oil prices have surged by more than 50 percent. Analysts warn that if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, prices could soar to $150 or even $200 per barrel.

In a phone call on Sunday, Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed the importance of reopening the strait, emphasizing its critical role in stabilizing the global energy market. However, Trump has issued conflicting statements regarding the war’s objectives and duration, indicating a lack of clarity in U.S. strategy in the region.