Asia-Pacific stock markets plunge collectively! U.S. military makes a major move! Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's latest statement

Due to the overnight decline in U.S. stocks, most major Asia-Pacific indices fell this morning.

As of press time, the South Korean KOSPI index was down 3.72%; the Nikkei 225 index fell 1.67%, dropping below 53,000 points; the MSCI Asia-Pacific index decreased by 1%, and the Australian S&P 200 index fell by 0.58%. In individual stocks, SK Hynix dropped over 4%.

The cryptocurrency market also experienced a widespread decline. As of press time, Bitcoin was down 3.5% at $68,800. According to data from CoinGlass, in the last 24 hours, a total of 100,000 people globally were liquidated, with a total liquidation amount exceeding $300 million. Among them, nearly 90% were long position liquidations.

In today’s early trading session, influenced by U.S. President Trump’s remarks about delaying airstrikes on Iranian energy facilities for another 10 days, U.S. stock index futures rebounded slightly. As of press time, S&P 500 futures were up 0.29%, NASDAQ futures were up 0.21%, and Dow futures were up 0.27%.

The Wall Street Journal reported on the 26th, citing U.S. Department of Defense officials, that the Pentagon is considering deploying up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East to provide U.S. President Trump with more military options. Following this news, international oil prices rose slightly, with WTI crude oil’s decline narrowing to around 1%, after previously dropping nearly 2%.

U.S. Media: Iran Did Not “Request” U.S. to Delay Airstrikes on Energy Facilities

According to Xinhua News Agency, The Wall Street Journal reported on the 26th, citing mediation sources, that Iran has not “requested” the U.S. to delay airstrikes on Iranian energy facilities for another 10 days as U.S. President Trump claimed, and has not yet given a final response to the U.S. proposal for ending hostilities, known as the “15-point plan.”

The report stated that Iranian officials informed the mediators that they are willing to negotiate, but the Iranian leadership has not yet made a statement or final decision on the matter. Iranian officials previously made it clear that the U.S. must withdraw its “excessive demands” in the “15-point plan,” or they will not agree to meet to discuss potential ceasefire matters. These officials also ruled out making Iran’s missile program a starting topic for negotiations while refusing to commit to permanently halting uranium enrichment activities.

The mediators pointed out that the chances of reaching a ceasefire remain slim, as both Iran and the U.S. have proposed extreme demands that the other side cannot accept. The report did not specify the identity of the “negotiation mediators.”

On the afternoon of the 26th, U.S. President Trump stated on social media that “at the request of the Iranian government,” he would delay the “destruction” of Iranian energy facilities for 10 days. Trump also stated that related negotiations are ongoing and progressing “very smoothly.” Earlier, on the 21st, Trump threatened that Iran must open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, or he would destroy its various power plants, and on the 23rd, extended this deadline by “5 days.”

Iran: Trump’s “Gift” Remarks Are Political Stunts

According to Xinhua News Agency, the Lebanese “Al-Mayadeen” TV station reported on the 26th, citing an Iranian source, that U.S. President Trump’s recent comments about Iran presenting a “great gift” are political stunts lacking factual basis. Iranian media also reported that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to the U.S. and Israel.

“Al-Mayadeen” TV reported that this source stated that vessels permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz must follow the “safe passage” established by Iran, establishing direct contact with Iran and coordinating in advance regarding their vessels and cargo maritime transit procedures. Iran has formed a bilateral consensus with the countries of the vessels allowed to pass, and relevant arrangements are implemented through formal diplomatic channels and coordination mechanisms, without public disclosure or detailed explanation.

On the 24th, Trump stated that Iran is ready to “reach an agreement” and has presented the U.S. with “a gift of immense value” related to oil and gas. On the 26th, Trump revealed the so-called “great gift” during a Cabinet meeting: 10 oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, of which 8 were flying the Pakistani flag.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stated on social media on the 22nd that the Strait of Hormuz is open to everyone except those invaders who violate Iranian territory. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian reiterated on the 25th that the Strait of Hormuz is not completely closed, and countries not involved in hostilities against Iran can transit with coordination from Iran.

Additionally, Iranian news agency Fars reported on the evening of the 26th that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to the U.S., Israel, and their allies who have invaded Iran. The latest news indicates that over 350 vessels are stranded in the waters of the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf at both ends of the Strait of Hormuz, in an uncertain state. These vessels cannot continue sailing or dock in the area without Iranian permission, and the Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes are entirely controlled by Iranian armed forces.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported on the 26th, citing military insiders, that if the U.S. intends to use “suicidal actions” to open the Strait of Hormuz, Iran is prepared and will continue to block the Strait.

Iran Launches 83rd Round of “Real Commitment-4” Operations

On March 27th, local time, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran issued a statement declaring that Iran had launched the 83rd round of military operations named “Real Commitment-4,” attacking Israeli military installations located in central Israel.

The statement indicated that Iran used precision-guided missiles, multi-warhead missiles, and drones to target Israeli military installations in Modi’in, central Israel, and oil storage facilities in Ashdod, as well as U.S. military targets at the Udairi and Ali Al-Salim bases in Kuwait, the Zayfara base in the UAE, and the Sheikh Isa base in Bahrain.

In the early hours of that day, the Israeli Defense Forces reported detecting missiles launched from Iran toward Israel and were in the process of intercepting them. Air raid sirens sounded in multiple locations across central Israel.

According to CCTV News, explosions were heard in Tehran, the capital of Iran, in the early hours of March 27th. Iran’s air defense system was activated to intercept incoming hostile targets. Earlier on the evening of the 26th, the southwestern Iranian city of Shiraz was attacked, resulting in loud explosions.

On the 26th, it was reported that the U.S. Department of Defense stated that U.S. forces had deployed unmanned high-speed boats (unmanned surface vessels) to participate in patrol missions targeting Iran, to enhance maritime combat and surveillance capabilities.

It is reported that such unmanned platforms have gained attention in conflicts in recent years, for example, Ukraine has used explosive-laden unmanned boats to strike the Russian Black Sea Fleet. However, there are currently no indications that this deployment by the U.S. is intended for offensive strikes.

(Source: Securities China)