Asia-Pacific stock markets mostly declined this morning, dragged down by overnight losses on U.S. exchanges. As of the latest update, South Korea's KOSPI index dropped 3.72%, while Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1.67%, falling below the 53,000-point mark. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index declined 1%, and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 retreated 0.58%. Among individual stocks, SK Hynix slid more than 4%. Cryptocurrency markets also experienced broad declines, with Bitcoin down 3.5% to $68,800 at the time of writing. According to CoinGlass data, over the past 24 hours, 100,000 traders globally were liquidated, with total liquidations exceeding $300 million. Nearly 90% of these were long positions.
In early trading today, U.S. stock index futures saw a slight rebound, influenced by former U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks regarding a "10-day delay in airstrikes on Iranian energy facilities." As of the latest update, S&P 500 futures rose 0.29%, Nasdaq futures gained 0.21%, and Dow Jones futures increased by 0.27%.
Citing U.S. Department of Defense officials, The Wall Street Journal reported on the 26th that the Pentagon is considering deploying up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East, thereby providing the U.S. President with more military options. Stimulated by this news, international oil prices saw a brief, slight increase, with WTI crude narrowing its loss to around 1%, after having fallen nearly 2% earlier.
According to a Xinhua report, The Wall Street Journal, citing mediators as sources, reported on the 26th that Iran did not "request" a 10-day delay in U.S. airstrikes on its energy facilities, as claimed by the U.S. President, and has not yet given a final response to the U.S. proposed "15-point plan" to end hostilities. The report stated that Iranian officials have informed mediators of their willingness to negotiate, but the country's leadership has not yet made a formal statement or final decision. Iranian officials had previously explicitly demanded that the U.S. withdraw its "excessive demands" in the "15-point plan," otherwise they would not agree to a meeting to discuss a potential ceasefire. These officials also ruled out discussing Iran's missile program as a starting point for talks and refused to commit to permanently halting uranium enrichment activities. Mediators indicated that the chances of a ceasefire remain slim, as both Iran and the U.S. have put forward extreme demands unacceptable to the other side. The report did not specify the identity of the "negotiating mediators."
On the afternoon of the 26th, the U.S. President posted on social media that, "at the request of the Iranian government," he would delay the "destruction" of Iranian energy facilities for 10 days. He also stated that related negotiations were ongoing and progressing "very smoothly." Previously, on the 21st, he had threatened Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours or face the destruction of its power stations, later extending this deadline by "5 days" on the 23rd.
According to a Xinhua report, Lebanon's Al Mayadeen TV cited an Iranian source on the 26th, stating that recent comments by the U.S. President about Iran presenting a "big gift" were political theatrics lacking factual basis. Iranian media reported the same day that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to the U.S. and Israel. The Al Mayadeen report quoted the source as saying that vessels permitted passage through the Strait of Hormuz are following "safe routes" designated by Iran, establishing direct contact with Iranian authorities and coordinating procedures for their vessels and cargo transit in advance. Iran and the flag states of permitted vessels have reached bilateral understandings, with arrangements implemented through formal diplomatic channels and coordination mechanisms, which are not publicly disclosed or detailed.
On the 24th, the U.S. President claimed that Iran was ready to "make a deal" and had given the U.S. a "very valuable gift," related to "oil and gas." On the 26th, during a cabinet meeting, he revealed the so-called "gift": 10 tankers had passed through the Strait of Hormuz, eight of which were flying the Pakistani flag.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stated on social media on the 22nd that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all except those who violate Iranian territory. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian reiterated on the 25th that the strait is not completely closed, and countries not involved in hostilities against Iran can pass through after coordination with Iranian authorities.
Furthermore, according to a late report on the 26th from Iran's Fars News Agency, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to the U.S., Israel, and their allies who have aggressed against Iran. Latest information indicates that over 350 vessels are stalled in the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf at either end of the strait, in a state of uncertainty. These ships cannot proceed or dock at regional ports without Iranian permission, as the Strait of Hormuz route is fully controlled by Iranian armed forces.
Iran's Tasnim News Agency, citing informed military sources on the 26th, reported that if the U.S. attempts a "suicidal operation" to open the Strait of Hormuz, Iran is prepared and will maintain its blockade.
In the early hours of March 27 local time, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement announcing the launch of the 83rd round of the "True Promise-4" military operation, targeting Israeli military bases in central Israel. The statement declared that Iran used precision-guided missiles, multiple-warhead missiles, and drones to strike Israeli military bases in Modi'in and oil storage facilities in Ashdod, as well as U.S. military bases such as Udairi and Ali Al Salem in Kuwait, Al Dhafra in the UAE, and Sheikh Isa in Bahrain.
In the early hours of the same day, the Israel Defense Forces reported detecting missile launches from Iran towards Israel and were carrying out interceptions. Air raid sirens sounded in multiple locations across central Israel. According to CCTV reports, explosions were heard in the Iranian capital, Tehran, in the early hours of March 27 local time. Iran's air defense systems were activated to intercept hostile targets.
Earlier, on the evening of the 26th, the southwestern Iranian city of Shiraz was subjected to an airstrike, accompanied by loud explosions.
On the 26th local time, it was learned that the U.S. Department of Defense stated that the U.S. military has deployed unmanned high-speed vessels (unmanned surface vessels) to participate in patrol missions targeting Iran, aiming to enhance maritime operational and surveillance capabilities. It is understood that such unmanned platforms have gained increasing attention in recent conflicts, for instance, Ukraine's use of explosive-laden unmanned vessels against the Russian Black Sea Fleet. However, there are no current indications that the U.S. deployment is intended for offensive strike operations.
