Global oil and gold prices have jumped and shares slumped after US officials said an Israeli missile had struck Iran.
In Asia trade on Friday morning, Brent crude rose by more than 3% to around $90 a barrel, while gold was trading close to a new record high above $2,400 an ounce.
Benchmark stock indexes in Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea also fell after the reports.
Investors have been closely monitoring Israel’s reaction to Iran’s drone and missile attack last weekend.
Israel launched missile strikes against Iran during early hours on Friday morning (local time), ABC News reported citing a senior US official. The report came shortly after local sources reported blasts in Isfahan region in Central Iran.
“Iran’s Fars news agency reported three explosions were heard near an army base in the central city of Isfahan. An Iranian official told Reuters there was no missile attack and the explosions were the result of the activation of Iran’s air defense systems,” reported Reuters.
