Asia-Pacific markets open higher as investors assess U.S.-Iran peace deal diplomacy

Key points

• A screen displays share prices inside the Kabuto One building in Tokyo, Japan, on Monday, April 13, 2026. Oil surged and stocks fell after President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions with Iran following the collapse of weekend peace talks.
• Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets opened higher Friday as investors assess U.S.-Iran diplomatic efforts at reaching a peace deal in the Middle East.
• While oil prices fell in U.S. trading on hopes of a deal, reports that Tehran intends to keep its enriched uranium stockpile within the country stand to complicate negotiations with Washington as President Donald Trump has made dismantling Iran's nuclear program a central objective of his military action against Tehran.
• Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 1.36%, while the Topix added 0.55%.
• Japan's core inflation eased more than expected in April to its lowest level since March 2022, weakening the...