Oil Prices Rise Above $100 as Geopolitical Tensions Hit Asian Markets

Stocks across Asian markets slipped on Tuesday as soaring oil prices and heightened geopolitical tensions weighed on investor sentiment. The United States and Iran exchanged air strikes in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, while Yemen’s Houthi rebels intensified attacks on Saudi Arabian targets, prompting concerns over the security of one of the world’s main oil transit routes. The escalation has pushed crude prices higher, contributing to a broader sell‑off in equities throughout the region.

Market participants are now focused on forthcoming monetary‑policy decisions, with expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve and other major central banks will raise interest rates to curb rising inflation. Analysts note that tighter policy could further pressure growth prospects, but may also help stabilize commodity markets if it curbs demand. As traders await official announcements, the combination of geopolitical risk and potential rate hikes continues to dominate headlines and shape market dynamics.