Fire and smoke rise into the sky after an Israeli attack on the Shahran oil depot on June 15, 2025 in Tehran, Iran.
Getty Images | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Asia-Pacific markets declined Monday, after the United States’ attack on three nuclear sites in Iran raised oil prices and investors’ fears of an escalation in the Middle East conflict.
Oil prices have spiked in recent weeks following the increased tensions in the Middle East.
Brent Crude was trading at $78.51 per barrel after gaining 1.95% as of 12.06 p.m. Singapore time, while the West Texas Intermediate crude added 2.06% to $75.36.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 0.32%, while the broader Topix index declined 0.43%.
In South Korea, the Kospi index retreated 0.41%, while the small-cap Kosdaq lost 1.42%.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index moved down 0.13% in early trade, while mainland China’s CSI 300 index declined 0.2%.
Over in Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 sank 0.43%.
India’s benchmark Nifty 50 dropped 0.9% while the BSE Sensex fell 0.74%.
— CNBC’s Lisa Kailan Han, Sean Conlon, Brian Evans contributed to this report.