South Korea stocks lead gains in Asia as U.S.-Iran agree to a ceasefire

NoodlesOrTokens · 2026-04-08T00:35:44+00:00

Asia-Pacific markets surged following Trump's announcement of a two-week ceasefire contingent on Iran's cooperation regarding the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. crude oil prices dropped significantly, and stock futures increased across major indexes.

NoodlesOrTokens

2026-04-08 00:35:44

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Asia-Pacific markets rallied on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump said he had agreed to suspend planned attacks on Iranian infrastructure for two weeks.

The move was “subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz,” he wrote on Truth Social.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a post on X on behalf of the country’s Supreme National Security Council said Tehran’s armed forces will “cease their defensive operations.”

Trump noted the 2-week ceasefire was subject to Iran agreeing to a complete, immediate and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi said that safe passage via Hormuz Strait will be possible via coordination with Iran’s armed forces for the next two weeks.

The U.S. has received a 10-point proposal from Iran that is a workable basis for negotiations, Trump said.

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U.S. crude oil prices plunged on the news. The West Texas Intermediate contract for May delivery fell more than 16% to $94.23 per barrel by 7:15 p.m. ET.

Asia markets rallied. South Korea’s Kospi surged 5.99%, while the small-cap Kosdaq was up almost 5%.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.79%, while the Topix gained 1.69%.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 jumped 2.8%.

Hong Kong markets were also set to jump as they resume trading following holiday. The Hang Seng Index futures were at 25,233 compared to its last close at 25,116.53.

Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 718 points, or 1.5%. S&P 500 futures added 1.6%, and Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 1.7%.

Overnight in the U.S., the S&P 500 inched up 0.08% and closed at 6,616.85, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.10% to settle at 22,017.85. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 85.42 points, or 0.18%, closing at 46,584.46.

—CNBC’s Sean Conlon and Lisa Kailai Han contributed to this report.

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