Asian shares and oil prices are mixed after the US launches strikes in southern Iran

Asian shares and oil prices were mixed after the U.S. launched strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile sites and boats. President Trump tweeted that negotiations to end the war were proceeding nicely, while U.S. futures jumped and oil moved in opposite directions: Brent rose but stayed under 100 per barrel, and U.S. WTI fell. The strikes were framed as self-defense to protect American troops amid ongoing ceasefire talks. In early trading, Tokyo’s Nikkei fell 0.3%, Hang Seng rose 0.4%, Shanghai slipped 0.2%, and Kospi climbed 2.6%. U.S. futures showed gains as Brent traded around 95.47 and WTI near 91.95.