Asian Markets Open Higher Amid Iran Tensions, Oil Rally
Asian shares that were open for trading mostly rose Monday, as investors continued to closely monitor the conflict in Iran, surging oil prices, and the approach of a Tuesday deadline set by President Donald Trump regarding the Strait of Hormuz, according to AP News and Yahoo Finance.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 (NKY) led gains, rising nearly 1.1% to 53,692.42 in morning trading. South Korea’s Kospi also advanced 1.5% to 5,460.24. Trading was closed in Australia for Easter, as well as in Hong Kong and Shanghai for a traditional Chinese holiday, reducing visible regional activity.
Geopolitical Risks and the Strait of Hormuz
Market sentiment was dominated by ongoing concerns over the war in Iran and the implications for global energy supplies. President Trump has set a Tuesday deadline related to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit chokepoint. Sources report some analysts fear the conflict may escalate after the deadline.
Oil remained a key market focus. Benchmark U.S. crude gained 38 cents to $111.92 a barrel, while Brent crude climbed $1.71 to $110.74 a barrel. These moves extend a recent surge in oil prices driven by concerns that the conflict might persist longer than expected. Japan and other resource-poor Asian countries, in particular, rely heavily on access to the Strait of Hormuz for energy imports.
“As we kick off the first full trading week of April, the word uncertainty is paramount. This year, it’s uncertainty surrounding the ongoing Iranian War,” said Jay Woods, analyst at Freedom Capital Markets, as quoted by AP News.
Outlook and Trader Focus
With market attention fixed on both the approaching Tuesday deadline and energy prices, traders are monitoring developments in the Middle East, potential U.S. policy moves, and any signals of escalation. Not all Asian markets were open Monday, so a broader read on risk appetite will emerge as more markets resume trading through the week. Meanwhile, Western indices such as the S&P 500 (^GSPC) will likely take their cue from Asia as trading resumes.
Stocks365 Take
Stocks365 sees the current moment as a high-volatility, event-driven window. With the Iran–Strait of Hormuz deadline approaching Tuesday, caution is warranted. The modest gains across open Asian markets suggest resilience, but traders should be alert to possible fast-moving developments. In particular, continued moves in Crude Oil (CL=F) stand out as a key signal — with potential ripple effects into broader equities if prices keep rising. We recommend monitoring energy-exposed positions carefully and using disciplined stop-losses until the geopolitical picture clarifies after Tuesday.
