- Renewed tensions between Iran and the U.S. and worries that the conflict may keep inflation elevated keep investors on edge.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CNBC in an exclusive interview that, if needed, Israel and the U.S. were prepared to strike Iran again.
Asia-Pacific markets opened lower Thursday, tracking Wall Street losses, 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. I think Iran should take that into account. I think they are taking into account, but they're playing with fire," Netanyahu said.
South Korea's Kospi fell 2%, but the small-cap Kosdaq advanced over 2% as trading resumed after a holiday.
Japan's
Nikkei 225 fell 1.4% after hitting a record high in the previous session, while the Topix declined 0.91%.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was 0.84% lower.
Hong Kong
Hang Seng index futures were at 25,312, lower than the index's last close of 25,633.21.
The 30-stock
Dow Jones Industrial Average pulled back 620.72 points, or 1.21%, to end at 50,687.07 on Wednesday. The broad market S&P 500 fell 0.74% to close at 7,553.68, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.89% to 26,853.98.<small>Source: CNBC</small>
Business
Asia-Pacific markets open lower on renewed Middle East tensions
CNBC
June 04, 2026
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