Asian Markets Edge Up as Investors Await U.S.-Iran Diplomatic Discussions

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:22:00 +0200

Asian stock markets traded slightly higher on Friday while oil prices held steady as investors awaited upcoming U.S.-Iran talks aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East. The restrained movement across regional equities reflected cautious optimism following a turbulent week of geopolitical developments involving Iran, Israel, and Lebanon. Japan’s Nikkei and South Korea’s Kospi both gained modestly, supported by technology and energy shares. In China, mainland exchanges saw mild gains as market sentiment improved on expectations that diplomatic engagement might help stabilize oil supply routes and temper recent global uncertainty. Energy markets showed little volatility; Brent crude hovered just above recent levels, signaling that traders were maintaining a wait-and-see approach ahead of the talks. Investors worldwide are focused on whether Washington and Tehran can prevent further escalation, as any disruptions could affect global energy prices and investor confidence. Analysts noted