Markets in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia also posted sharp declines across multi-day sessions. Japan’s Nikkei 225 traded 2.3% to 4% lower in different sessions, reflecting rapid intraday swings reported by Livemint, BBC and Reuters. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell as much as 2%, extending losses from the previous day, Livemint reported. AI-generated illustrationThe Strait of Hormuz, through which around a fifth of the world’s oil and gas normally flows, saw near-complete disruption, BBC reported. BBC quoted Trump saying the US Navy would protect ships in the region "if necessary" to stop an energy supply crunch.

Source: Mint March 04, 2026 09:46 UTC