Asian shares decline and oil prices up more than $1 after US strikes on Iran

Asian shares declined Thursday as markets priced in renewed U.S. strikes on Iran, while oil rebounded by more than $2 a barrel after a sharp slide. The United States said Central Command forces shot down four Iranian one-way attack drones near the Strait of Hormuz and hit an Iranian ground-control station in Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a fifth drone, in what officials described as defense. In early trading, Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.4% to 64,711.12, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 1.4%, with other regional indexes lower. Brent crude rose about $2.57 to $94.82, while U.S. crude rose to $91.33. U.S. stock futures edged lower ahead of an active news cycle.