TOKYO, March 31, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Asian stocks fell sharply in early trade Tuesday and oil prices rose as the Middle East crisis further escalated with US President Donald Trump threatening to destroy Iran's main export terminal. Brent Crude, the international benchmark, climbed 2.23 percent to $109.78 early Tuesday. Trump threatened Monday to destroy Iran's key oil export hub of Kharg Island along with power and desalination plants unless Tehran quickly accepted a deal, even as he suggested that diplomacy was making headway. Trump warned that if a deal were not struck -- including to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane -- US forces would destroy "all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!)". Destroying civilian infrastructure would be illegal under international humanitarian law and could constitute a war crime, experts say.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha March 31, 2026 02:48 UTC