Trump Extends Ceasefire; Markets Watch US-Iran Outlook; Asian Stocks Diverge

Hong Kong, April 22 (AFP) — U.S. President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire against Iran before the deadline expired, while maintaining the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, adding to the atmosphere of market caution. As investors evaluated the possibility of peace talks between the U.S. and Iran, major Asian stock markets showed inconsistent trends. Trump, who had previously warned that air strikes would resume after the agreement expired, stated at the last minute that he decided to extend the ceasefire indefinitely following a request from Pakistan, acting as a mediator. Washington chose not to launch a new offensive but continues to prevent Iranian vessels from passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Christopher Wong, a strategist at OCBC Bank, noted that both sides may be jockeying for leverage, and this waiting period may suppress risk appetite. The Nikkei index closed up 0.4%, while the Hang Seng index fell 1.2%. Other markets like Taipei and Seoul rose, while Sydney and Singapore fell.