A pedestrian walks past an electronic quotation board displaying the Nikkei 225 stock prices on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo on March 23, 2026.
Kazuhiro Nogi | Afp | Getty Images
Asia-Pacific markets were set to open higher Tuesday, tracking Wall Street gains, as traders assess mixed messaging on Iran war.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to target Iran’s civilian infrastructure if a peace deal is not reached in less than 24 hours, while also signaling that the Iranian leadership was negotiating in earnest.
Trump reiterated his demand for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz by 8 p.m. Tuesday, which would allow traffic to start flowing again through the vital route for global energy supplies — warning the U.S. would decimate every bridge and power plant within four hours of that deadline not being met.
The U.S. and Iran were weighing a framework plan to end their five-week-old conflict, with Tehran pushing back against Trump’s pressure to swiftly reopen the Strait of Hormuz under a temporary ceasefire, and repeating its desire for a lasting end to the war.
Iran has rejected the U.S. ceasefire proposal and floated its own 10-points, including an end to hostilities in the region, a protocol for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, lifting of sanctions, and reconstruction, according to Axios.
Trump responded to the proposal, saying that “They made a … significant proposal. Not good enough, but they have made a very significant step. We will see what happens.”
The West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 0.7% at $113.25 per barrel as of 7.20 p.m. ET. Brent crude gained about 0.68% to end Monday’s session at $109.77 per barrel.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 was poised to gain, with the Chicago contract at 53,915 and its Osaka counterpart last trading at 53,930, compared to the index’s previous close of 53,413.68.
Hong Kong markets remained closed on Tuesday for the Easter holiday.
