Just now! Surge, circuit breaker! The Asia-Pacific stock markets, a major rebound! Trump announces: sanctions will be lifted!

A Complete Reversal.

After U.S. President Trump declared that the fighting was essentially over, market sentiment was significantly boosted. This morning, following the opening of the South Korean and Japanese stock markets, major indices surged across the board. South Korea’s KOSPI index temporarily soared over 5%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 index rose by more than 3%. The Korea Exchange triggered the KOSPI index circuit breaker after KOSPI 200 futures jumped 5%, pausing algorithmic trading for 5 minutes. Overnight, the three major U.S. stock indexes all closed higher, with the Nasdaq up 1.38%, and technology stocks broadly rising.

According to Xinhua News Agency, on the 9th, U.S. President Trump stated at a press conference that he would lift some sanctions related to oil to help stabilize oil prices. Trump also indicated that if the timing is right, the U.S. Navy would escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Iran’s top national security council secretary, Larijani, warned on the 9th that as long as the United States and Israel continue military strikes against Iran, security in the Strait of Hormuz cannot be restored.

Trump: Will cancel sanctions

In the early morning of March 10 (Beijing time), the stock markets of South Korea and Japan opened sharply higher. South Korea’s KOSPI index surged over 5% at the open; Japan’s Nikkei 225 opened about 1.5% higher. Gains then quickly expanded, reaching over 3% at one point; the MSCI Asia Pacific Index increased by 1.3% to 238.80 points.

Some analysts pointed out that as Trump hinted that the conflict was “basically over,” and as the G7 finance ministers’ meeting suggested possible measures to curb oil prices, market panic eased. Short covering and buy-the-dip strategies jointly propelled risk assets to rally strongly into the close.

On March 10, according to Xinhua News Agency, U.S. President Trump said at a press conference on the 9th that due to market turmoil caused by U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, he would lift some oil-related sanctions to help stabilize prices.

He did not provide detailed explanations, but it is understood that the U.S. had already issued a 30-day temporary exemption last week, allowing Russian oil currently stranded at sea to be sold to India.

Trump also said that the conflict with Iran would “soon” end, but “not” within this week.

Regarding navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, Trump stated that if Iran affects global oil supplies, the U.S. would respond more forcefully; if the timing is right, the U.S. Navy would escort ships through the strait.

Trump noted that international oil prices rose less than he had expected, and he had anticipated energy prices would increase even before initiating actions against Iran.

Additionally, Trump mentioned issues related to Venezuela, his call with Russian President Putin that day, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and matters concerning Cuba.

Before the press conference on the 9th, in another media interview, Trump again expressed his “displeasure” regarding Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mujtaba Khamenei, calling it a “huge mistake.”

Furthermore, to address the energy supply crisis, French President Macron stated during his visit to Cyprus on the 9th that France would maintain a military presence in the Mediterranean and Red Sea, including deploying multiple warships such as aircraft carriers. The scope of deployment might eventually include the Strait of Hormuz to ensure regional shipping safety and European interests.

Stuart Katz, Chief Investment Officer at wealth management firm Robertson Stephens, said: “Looking back over the past few decades and identifying major geopolitical events, the market’s average decline from peak to trough could be between 5% and 10%. However, in the 12 months following these trigger events, markets tend to be in an upward trend.”

Anshul Sharma, Chief Investment Officer at Savvy Wealth, stated: “Historical experience shows that geopolitical shocks cause intense short-term market volatility, but rarely have a significant long-term impact on profit trajectories.” In other words, in hindsight, periods of geopolitical uncertainty are often good buying opportunities, as declines in stock prices are unrelated to the company’s long-term growth prospects.

Iran Warns

On March 10, according to Xinhua News Agency, Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said on the 9th that as long as the United States and Israel continue military strikes against Iran, security in the Strait of Hormuz cannot be restored.

That day, Larijani commented on French President Macron’s remarks about the Strait of Hormuz on social media, saying, “In the war ignited by the United States and Israel, any security in the Strait of Hormuz is unlikely to be achieved,” especially as some actions are fueling the escalation of this conflict.

Earlier that day, Macron stated that France and its allies are preparing to carry out a “defensive” naval operation aimed at restoring normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Senior officers of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps recently stated that Iran has “not closed” the Strait of Hormuz, but any vessels belonging to the United States or Israel will become targets for Iranian strikes.

On February 28, the U.S. and Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Iran. Iran responded with retaliatory strikes against Israeli and U.S. military bases in the Middle East, among other targets.

According to CCTV News, on the afternoon of March 9, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the launch of “True Promise-4” rounds 31 and 32, using multiple heavy missiles. The two announcements were less than 2 hours apart. Based on statistics released by the Israeli military late on the 9th, Israel recorded 10 Iranian attack incidents that day.

According to incomplete statistics, Iran’s targets in its strikes against the U.S. and Israel on the 9th included: shooting down over 82 U.S.-Israeli drones and 4 F-15 fighter jets; destroying multiple U.S. radar facilities; shooting down an advanced U.S. cruise missile, the “Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile” (JASSM); and “destroying” a U.S. military helicopter base in Udairi, Kuwait, belonging to the U.S. military.