Asian shares gain as oil slips despite Iran attacks

Asian markets were mostly higher while oil prices eased, even as Iran carried out multiple attacks in the Gulf region and near Israel.

Asian shares were mostly higher on Wednesday, with gains in several regional benchmarks. Oil prices slipped after earlier rises. The moves occurred as Iran launched multiple attacks on Gulf neighbors and Israel following the killing of a senior leader, with reports saying two people were killed near Tel Aviv. U.S. futures also rose ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision later in the day. Market and geopolitical facts: - Benchmarks in Japan and South Korea rose, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 0.2% to 25,816.92 and the Shanghai Composite shed 0.5% to 4,028.94. - Brent crude was reported near $101–$102 per barrel, down from above $106 earlier in the week; U.S. crude was trading in the low $90s per barrel. - Iran carried out a series of attacks on Gulf neighbors and Israel, and two people were reported killed near Tel Aviv. - ING Bank analysts said global oil flows remain largely constrained, though there were growing hopes Iran might allow more vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, which the article reported handles roughly a fifth of the world's crude. - The article notes U.S. stocks were modestly higher the previous session and mentions that Delta Air Lines' shares rose after the carrier raised its revenue forecast. Summary: Lower oil prices helped support gains in parts of Asia, particularly for countries that import oil, while investors watched geopolitical developments. Attention was focused on the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision later in the day as markets assessed how energy prices and regional tensions could affect inflation and economic outlooks.