Asia-Pacific markets open lower on renewed Middle East tensions

The Kuwait International Airport was struck by Iran early Wednesday, just a day after the U.S. Central Command said it had defeated multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, as well as launched “self-defense strikes” on Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf. This was in response to “attempted attacks” by Tehran, it said.

If necessary, Israel and the U.S. are prepared to strike Iran again, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CNBC in an exclusive interview.

“Israel is ready and the U.S. forces are ready. I think Iran should take that into account. I think they are taking into account, but they’re playing with fire,” Netanyahu said.

South Korea’s Kospi fell 2%, but the small-cap Kosdaq advanced over 2% as trading resumed after a holiday.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.4% after hitting a record high in the previous session, while the Topix declined 0.91%.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was 0.84% lower.

Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were at 25,312, lower than the index’s last close of 25,633.21.