Market Expects US-Iran Negotiations to Continue, Asian Stocks Mostly Higher, Oil Prices Retreat
Asian stock markets mostly closed higher and oil prices retreated amid expectations of continued negotiations between the US and Iran. US President Trump's announcement of a call from Iran seeking talks fueled hopes for a deal to end the Middle East conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. After an initial 8% surge following the US Navy's blockade announcement, oil prices gave back all gains. Major markets like Tokyo, Seoul, and Taipei saw significant rises, with the Taipei Weighted Index hitting a new historical high.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 19:06
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 19:31 (25 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 14, 2026 at 21:55 (2h 23m after Collected)
Hong Kong, April 14 (CNA) Amid the US Navy's blockade around Iranian ports, US President Trump stated that Iran had called seeking negotiations. The market anticipates a potential agreement between the US and Iran to end the Middle East war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Consequently, Asian stock markets mostly rebounded and closed higher today, while crude oil prices retreated.
Agence France-Presse reported that although peace talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan last weekend did not reach an agreement, investors were still encouraged by some common ground achieved. Iran indicated that the two sides were only steps away from a deal at one point.
Shortly after, Trump announced that the US military would blockade the Strait of Hormuz, intensifying concerns about energy supply in the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz is strategically important, carrying about one-fifth of the world's oil and natural gas shipments.
The US military later clarified that it would begin blockading all Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf from 14:00 GMT yesterday, but would allow vessels not entering or exiting Iran to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
After Trump announced the blockade measures, crude oil prices surged by 8% yesterday, causing Asian stocks to fall. However, optimism later returned to the US stock market, with some observers noting this was due to Trump's claim that Iranian representatives had called to seek a deal.
Although Trump did not specify the identity of the Iranian official who called, the three major US stock indices closed higher yesterday, and oil prices gave back all their gains for the day. This optimism spread to Asian markets today, with Tokyo and Seoul stock markets leading the gains, and technology stocks once again attracting buyers due to artificial intelligence (AI) themes.
Tokyo stocks rose 2.43%, and Seoul stocks surged 2.74%. The Taipei Weighted Index closed up 2.37%, setting a new historical high. Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, and Jakarta stock markets also closed in positive territory. (Compiler: Chen Cheng-Chien) 1150414
Agence France-Presse reported that although peace talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan last weekend did not reach an agreement, investors were still encouraged by some common ground achieved. Iran indicated that the two sides were only steps away from a deal at one point.
Shortly after, Trump announced that the US military would blockade the Strait of Hormuz, intensifying concerns about energy supply in the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz is strategically important, carrying about one-fifth of the world's oil and natural gas shipments.
The US military later clarified that it would begin blockading all Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf from 14:00 GMT yesterday, but would allow vessels not entering or exiting Iran to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
After Trump announced the blockade measures, crude oil prices surged by 8% yesterday, causing Asian stocks to fall. However, optimism later returned to the US stock market, with some observers noting this was due to Trump's claim that Iranian representatives had called to seek a deal.
Although Trump did not specify the identity of the Iranian official who called, the three major US stock indices closed higher yesterday, and oil prices gave back all their gains for the day. This optimism spread to Asian markets today, with Tokyo and Seoul stock markets leading the gains, and technology stocks once again attracting buyers due to artificial intelligence (AI) themes.
Tokyo stocks rose 2.43%, and Seoul stocks surged 2.74%. The Taipei Weighted Index closed up 2.37%, setting a new historical high. Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, and Jakarta stock markets also closed in positive territory. (Compiler: Chen Cheng-Chien) 1150414