Trump’s Iran Speech Sends Oil Up, Asian Stocks Lower
Oil jumps while Asian stocks fall after Trump signals possible escalation in Iran.
Oil and financial markets respond to Trump’s Iran escalation warning. Photo: @StartMagNews
April 2, 2026 Hour: 2:33 am
🔗 Comparte este artículo
Oil: Markets react as oil climbs and regional equities dip after U.S. escalation warning
Oil prices surged sharply and Asian stock markets fell on Thursday following U.S. President Donald Trump’s first national address since the start of the war with Iran, signaling a potential escalation of the conflict.
RELATED: Trump Renews Threats Against Iran, Reiterates False Nuclear Claims
Brent crude rose 5 percent to $106.22 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) advanced 4.2 percent to $104.36. Gold declined 2 percent to $4,718.90 per ounce. Trump warned of a possible attack on Iran “with extreme force” within two to three weeks.
“The president’s speech did not include what the market had expected: signals of an end to the fighting. Instead, it suggested a possible escalation, which is clearly negative for equities,” said Jumpei Tanaka, head of investment strategy at Pictet Asset Management in Japan.
Trump stated Wednesday night that the United States would “finish the job” in Iran soon, once “the main strategic objectives are close to being completed,” but he did not provide a clear path to resolve energy supply disruptions or address the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas transport.
Asian equity markets reacted sharply. By 10:15 local time (02:15 GMT), Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 1 percent, Shanghai and Shenzhen markets declined 0.32 percent and 0.83 percent, respectively. The CSI 300, tracking the 300 largest companies across both exchanges, dropped 0.44 percent.
Other regional markets also posted losses: Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.4 percent, South Korea’s Kospi lost 3.4 percent, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 0.8 percent. U.S. stock futures slipped more than 0.9 percent. Beijing’s stock exchange lost 2.14 percent, while Taiwan’s Taiex dropped 1.44 percent.
The downturn contrasts with Wednesday’s gains, when Asian markets rose on hopes of de-escalation after Trump indicated initial military objectives had been met. The president’s latest remarks, however, reignited geopolitical tensions, eroding investor confidence across the region.
Author: MK
Source: Agencies
