Asia-Pacific markets fall on renewed Middle East tensions

Key points

• MARCH 23, 2026 - Stock investors are following the stock market situation at a securities trading hall in Fuyang, Anhui, China on March 23, 2026. (Photo credit should read CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images) Asia-Pacific markets fell Thursday, tracking Wall Street losses overnight, as tensions between Iran and the U.S. keep oil prices elevated, stoking energy and inflation worries.
• The Kuwait International Airport was struck by Iran early Wednesday, just a day after the U.S. Central Command said it had defeated multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, as well as launched "self-defense strikes" on Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf.
• This was in response to "attempted attacks" by Tehran, it said.
• If necessary, Israel and the U.S. are prepared to strike Iran again, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CNBC in an exclusive interview.
• "Israel is ready and the U.S. forces are ready.