Asia Falls Amid Mideast Military Tension

Asia-Pacific markets fell Friday as Israel conducted a military strike on Iran, targeting its nuclear program, while Iran vowed to retaliate.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 lost 338.84 points, or 0.9%, to 37,834.25.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng dumped 142.82 points, or 0.6%, to 23,902.56.

Israel launched a series of airstrikes against Iran early Friday morning local time, targeting locations it said were related to Iran’s nuclear program.

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said, “Following the State of Israel’s preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future.

In other markets

In Shanghai, the CSI 300 subtracted 28.02 points, or 0.7%, to 3,864.18.

In Korea, the Kospi index fell 25.41 points, or 0.9%, to 2,894.62.

In Taiwan, the Taiex index dropped 214.87 points, or 1%, to 22,072.95.

In Singapore, the Straits Times index shed 10.78 points, or 0.3%, to 3,911.42

In New Zealand, the NZX 50 slid 96.23 points, or 0.8%, to 12,552.88.

In Australia, the ASX 200 declined 17.67 points, or 0.2%, to 8,547.44.