Markets in the Asia-Pacific region exhibited a mixed performance on Friday, following a session characterized by volatility. The potential for a peace agreement in the Middle East appeared uncertain, influenced by conflicting communications from both the United States and Iran. President Donald Trump has postponed his Friday deadline for a potential strike on Iran’s energy infrastructure by an additional 10 days, now set for April 6, to facilitate further negotiations. The extension was requested by the government of the Islamic Republic, according to Trump, and was granted in return for 10 oil tankers that traversed the Strait of Hormuz as a “present” from Tehran. “As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction,” Trump stated in a post on Truth Social. “Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the media and others, they are progressing positively,” Trump added.

Washington has recently indicated a preference for a negotiated resolution to the conflict and has maintained that peace talks with the Islamic Republic have been in progress. Tehran has refuted claims of engaging in direct negotiations with the United States. The 15-point proposal compiled by the U.S. was reportedly rejected, with the opposing party presenting their own conditions. These conditions include a guarantee that the U.S. and Israel will not resume their attacks on the country, as well as recognition of its authority over the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices declined as tensions eased in the nearly month-long conflict. The West Texas Intermediate for May delivery experienced a decline of 1.8%, settling at $92.82 per barrel as of 8:30 p.m., whereas international benchmark Brent crude oil futures decreased by 1.92%, reaching $105.9 a barrel.

South Korea’s blue-chip index, the Kospi, experienced a decline of 0.4%, concluding the session at 5,438.87, after reducing earlier losses. In contrast, the small-cap index, the Kosdaq, made a recovery, rising by 0.4% to close at 1,141.51. Australia’s benchmark index experienced a decline of 0.11%, settling at 8,516.3. Japan’s Nikkei 225 experienced a decline of 0.43%, settling at 53,373.07, while the broader Topix index saw a modest increase of 0.19%, reaching 3,649.69. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index increased by 0.38% to reach 24,951.88, whereas mainland China’s CSI 300 advanced by 0.56% to 4,502.57. China’s industrial profits increased by 15.2% year-on-year in the January-February period, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Friday, marking a continuation of a significant recovery following a 5.3% rise in December.

The U.S. futures advanced as concerns regarding rising oil prices diminished. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 175 points, representing a 0.4% rise. S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq 100 futures increased by nearly 0.4% each. The major indexes concluded the trading session in the red, with the benchmark S&P 500 experiencing a decline of 1.7%, marking its most significant daily decrease since the start of 2026. The Nasdaq Composite declined by 2.4%, concluding in correction territory. The Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a decline of 1.01%.